Tech

Mastercard partners Uganda’s ICT Ministry to drive digital transformation

Published

9 months ago

March 5, 2024

Global payments network processor, Mastercard, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ugandan Ministry of ICT and National Guidance which seeks to accelerate digital transformation across the country.

According to Victor Ndlovu, Director and Business Development Lead for East Africa at Mastercard, the collaboration marks a significant milestone in the implementation of the ‘Digital Uganda Vision’, aimed at driving socio-economic development, enhancing services, and driving financial inclusion.

The partnership with Mastercard will provide technical assistance and expertise to support the Ugandan Government’s digitization and financial inclusion efforts, including the digitization of traditional services such as Posta Uganda, to capture new revenue flows and deliver integrated and convenient experiences for customers.

The signing of the MoU took place at the offices of the Ministry of ICT in Kampala, led by Hon. Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, Minister of ICT and National Guidance in Uganda, and Ndlovu, and is aligned with Uganda’s digital transformation goals laid out in their Digital Uganda Vision.

“This vision will empower Ugandan citizens striving to achieve the goals of universal inclusion, sustainable development, economic progress, and poverty eradication through digital innovation combining initiatives across multiple sectors,” Baryomunsi after the signing ceremony.

Ndlovu who spoke to journalists after the event, said the “vision aligns with Mastercard’s goal of enhancing financial inclusion by bringing one billion unbanked and underserved individuals into the digital economy by 2025, including empowering 50 million micro- and small merchants and supporting 25 million women-owned or led businesses.”

“One of the key focal areas of this partnership is to modernize Uganda’s digital payments ecosystem, making it more inclusive and accessible to micro and small merchants.

“These merchants will now have the tools they need to connect with the global digital economy and accept payments electronically, broadening their market reach and enhancing their contribution to Uganda’s economic growth.

“The initiative will also explore digital payment solutions as a gateway to support e-commerce platforms and e-government initiatives, therefore facilitating both domestic and cross-border transactions,” he said.

Related Topics:Featured MasterCard Ministry of ICT Uganda

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Tech

Ghana partners with The Gambia to provide free roaming services

Published

4 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Ghana and The Gambia are in the process of launching free roaming services that will enhance a West African connectivity.

The plan which is a joint initiative of the Ghana Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation and The Gambian National Communications Authority (NCA) will see mobile users in both countries avoiding extra charges for calls, texts, and data, which in turn, is expected to boost trade, tourism, and economic integration across borders.

The collaboration, according to a joint statement by the two bodies, aligns with the Economic Community of West African States’ (ECOWAS) broader push for seamless regional communication.

“Ghana and The Gambia are forging new paths in West Africa’s digital landscape, implementing a free-roaming initiative,” the statement said.

“This move strengthens regional connectivity while highlighting the role of technological collaboration in fostering economic integration. The initiative enables mobile users travelling between the two nations to make calls, send messages, and use data services without additional roaming fees.”

It further noted that by reducing these costs, the program aligns with the ECOWAS Free Roaming Initiative, which seeks to eliminate barriers to communication across member states.

“It is a boost for trade and travel as the free roaming plan is expected to spur economic activities by streamlining cross-border communication.

“Businesses and individuals travelling between Ghana and The Gambia can now stay connected without worrying about exorbitant charges, facilitating smoother transactions and personal interactions. The initiative is also expected to attract more tourists by ensuring seamless digital access for visitors.

“This collaboration marks another milestone in Ghana’s commitment to expanding digital connectivity, following Ghana’s successful implementation of similar agreements with Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, and Benin, with talks of possible roaming partnerships with Liberia.

“By focusing on digital integration, Ghana and The Gambia demonstrate the power of technology to bridge gaps between countries. This step also serves as a model for other West African nations to join the free-roaming framework, contributing to the larger goal of a connected and economically integrated region,” it added.

Tech

Tanzania to host 6th Ocean Innovation Africa summit in February

Published

1 day ago

November 20, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, has been selected to host the sixth edition of the Ocean Innovation Africa (OIA) summit from February 24-28, 2025, as a flagship event within Regenerative Ocean Week.

The Ocean Innovation Africa is set to be Africa’s most significant platform for Ocean Innovation conservation, and sustainable development in the blue economy. OIA2025 will be co-organised with leading partners, including IUCN, GIZ, OceanHub Africa, Catalyze and the Ocean-Climate Platform.

With the theme, “Science-to-Solution”, the Regenerative Ocean Week will present a line-up of sessions designed to bridge the gap between scientific research, business innovation, policy, and community engagement.

According to the organizers of the event, it will bring together African ocean innovators, investors, researchers, policymakers, and community leaders to explore practical solutions that can be applied across the continent.

“These include the OIA Pitch Competition, which is a platform for Africa-based startups and entrepreneurs to showcase breakthrough ideas in ocean-impact solutions, allowing them to connect with investors and industry leaders and emphasizing Africa’s role in driving sustainable ocean initiatives,” the organizers said in a statement.