Driving Ghana’s Digital Economy: Employers Push for Efforts to Unlock Jobs, Productivity and Growth

From street vendors collecting payments via mobile money to logistics firms coordinating deliveries through apps, technology is rewriting Ghana’s economy. Yet many businesses—especially SMEs—remain left behind.

At its 65th Annual General Meeting in Accra, the Ghana Employers Association (GEA) warned that unless urgent steps are taken to expand digital adoption, the country could lose out on billions in growth and millions of jobs.

Digital Gaps Holding Back Businesses
GEA President, Nana Dr. Emmanuel Adu-Sarkodee Afriyie, stressed that while mobile money and fintech are thriving, most enterprises still lack access to digital financing and productivity tools. Only 4 in 10 businesses currently use such tools, according to the 2024 Integrated Business Establishment Survey.

“This digital divide is slowing productivity gains, especially for SMEs who should be the backbone of Ghana’s economic growth,” Dr. Adu-Sarkodee Afriyie noted.

Technology as a Growth Engine
The ICT sector contributes 4–5% of GDP which is over GH¢20 billion annually and is already driving fintech, agritech, healthtech, and e-commerce growth. Success stories such as Farmerline (connecting farmers to finance and markets) and mPharma (digitizing access to medicine) prove how digital tools can power new industries and create jobs.

Government Signals Commitment
Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Dr. Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, assured businesses that government is investing in broadband, data centers, and tech-friendly policies to anchor growth in key sectors including agro-processing, manufacturing, and fintech.

“Ghana is open for business. We are building the infrastructure and skills base to make this the hub of Africa’s digital economy,” he affirmed.

The Way Forward
Both government and GEA called for deeper public-private collaboration, blending affordable financing, technology access, and skills development. If achieved, Ghana could unlock stronger competitiveness, new export opportunities, and sustainable jobs for its swelling youth population.