Communication Minister outlines vision for smart cities and innovation at Ghana-China Business Summit

The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Mr. Samuel Nartey George, has presented a vision for integrating technology into urban development through Ghana's Smart Cities Plan.

He stated that key initiatives include smart electric and water meters, digital transportation systems, and intelligent lighting and security infrastructure, stressing that smart city development focuses on rapid industrialization and turning the existing cities into smart cities, and not just building new ones.

The Minister made this statement during a keynote address at the Ghana-China Business Summit on Friday in Accra.

Mr. George noted that Ghana was finalizing the Innovations and Startups Bill to provide legal certainty and financial incentives for innovation-driven enterprises.

He added, “Policy hackathons and co-creation platforms are being used to foster collaboration between government, startups, and the private sector.”

Touching on the 24-Hour Economy policy, Mr. George said Ghana was charting an ambitious path toward a 24-hour economy, leveraging technology, reliable energy, and efficient logistics to ensure that productivity is no longer limited by the clock.

‎“At the heart of this transformation are digital platforms that enable round-the-clock economic activities, e-commerce systems that operate seamlessly across time zones, mobile money and digital payment networks that remain active 24/7, and digitized sports and customs platforms that support continuous trade flows across our country,” the Minister said.

He positioned Ghana as the “gateway to Africa,” encouraging Chinese and international investors to use Ghana as a launchpad for the wider continent.

‎Mr. George emphasized Ghana’s growing influence in setting standards for technology and innovation across West Africa and promoted the concept of “technology diplomacy,” whereby Ghana exports its technology solutions to neighboring countries.

The Minister addressed the importance of digital platforms for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), advocating for integrated solutions in logistics, payments, and trade facilitation. However, he cautioned that as digital trade expands, countries must prioritize data sovereignty and establish robust data governance frameworks to protect national security.

‎The Minister invited all technology companies attending the event to submit proposals for partnership, stating that “If it makes sense for both Ghana and China, we will explore it,” he assured, emphasizing the government’s openness to mutually beneficial collaborations.

Notable Chinese companies, including Changfeng Digital Intelligence, expressed interest in partnerships in various sectors.