Dr Mark-Oliver Kevor (middle) addressing the media
The Director-General of the National Information Technology Agency (NITA), Dr. Mark-Oliver Kevor, has officially launched preparations for the 2025 National ICT Week Celebration, scheduled for August 25 to 29 in Accra.
Speaking at a media event today, on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, Dr. Kevor announced the theme for this year’s event: “Ghana as Africa’s Digital Trade Hub – Innovation, Policy, and Partnerships for the Future.”
He described the theme as “a forward-looking blueprint that encapsulates Ghana’s vision to become a vibrant hub of digital activity, a center of excellence in innovation, and a catalyst for transformative partnerships and policies.”
The National ICT Week aims to celebrate Ghana’s digital achievements while rallying stakeholders to position the country as a leader in Africa’s digital trade landscape.
Dr. Kevor emphasized Ghana’s readiness, citing the country’s strategic geographical position along the Gulf of Guinea, progressive policies, innovative human capital, and robust public-private partnerships.
He emphasized that Ghana recognizes the new reality of a global shift toward digital trade driven by advancements in artificial intelligence, blockchain, and data analytics.
He noted the government’s effort to capitalize on the shift, noting, “Our ambition is not just to be digitally active but to be digitally competitive.”
He outlined details of the four-day event, which will feature a range of activities designed to foster dialogue, showcase innovation, and advance policy frameworks.
The opening ceremony on Day One will include speeches from development partners and ICT industry leaders, followed by a panel discussion with stakeholders.
On Day Two, key frameworks such as Ghana’s Digital Trust Framework and the Africa PKI Consortium will be unveiled to strengthen trust in digital trade. Day Three will focus on e-commerce, digital payments, and logistics, with discussions on last-mile delivery networks, leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and scaling mobile money solutions.
An eCommerce Guidebook will also be launched. Day Four will center on data exchange, deliberating on the National Data Exchange Platform and Data Governance Framework, with a focus on harnessing AI and machine learning for innovation.
Dr. Kevor highlighted the event’s objectives, which include exploring Ghana’s potential as a digital trade powerhouse, shaping forward-thinking policies, and igniting cross-sector collaborations.
“The National ICT Week is more than a commemoration. It is a platform for engagement, education, innovation, and policy advancement,” he said.
The event will attract a diverse audience, including government officials, tech and fintech companies like MTN and Zeepay, e-commerce platforms such as Jumia, investors, startups, and academia.
A startup pitch session and exhibition will allow businesses to showcase cutting-edge products and services.
The Director-General underscored the power of partnerships, stating, “The path to becoming Africa’s digital trade hub cannot be traveled alone. It requires a coordinated effort across sectors and borders.”
He acknowledged partners like the World Bank, GIZ, and the African Development Bank for their vital support.
Dr. Kevor also issued a national call to action, urging the private sector to invest in scalable platforms, policymakers to create forward-looking regulations, and the youth to “be bold” and “seize the platforms that ICT Week will offer to showcase your talent.”
The event is expected to yield significant outcomes, including high-level policy commitments, stronger public-private partnerships, and actionable strategies to integrate SMEs into regional digital markets. Dr. Kevor concluded with a rallying cry: “Let us not look back five years from now and say we missed our moment. Let ICT Week 2025 be the spark that ignites a decade of transformation.”
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