The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of edel Technology Consulting, Ethnel Delali Cofie, has revealed that Ghana is well-positioned to lead Africa’s next phase of digital finance transformation, backed by strong infrastructure, a deep pool of technical talent and forward-looking leadership.
Speaking as a panellist at the 3i Africa Summit 2026 in Accra, Madam Ethnel Cofie expressed confidence in Ghana’s ability to move beyond foundational digital systems to more advanced financial solutions that can scale across the continent.
“We’ve done a really good job. We’ve led the continent in putting the right infrastructure in place,” she said, highlighting Ghana’s progress in building a strong digital ecosystem.
Madam Ethnel pointed to Ghana’s growing reputation as a hub for technical expertise, citing industry estimates that suggest the country holds between 12% and 14% of Africa’s technical skills base.
According to her, this talent advantage, combined with existing digital infrastructure, positions Ghana to take a leadership role in shaping Africa’s fintech future.
“We’ve got people, we’ve got talent, and we’ve got good infrastructure. That puts us in a strong position to lead,” she noted.
While acknowledging the success of mobile money and digital payments, Cofie stressed that the next stage of innovation must go beyond simple money transfers.
She said Ghana has the capacity to expand into more sophisticated areas such as digital lending and other financial services that can directly impact livelihoods and economic participation.
“It’s not just about sending money up and down. There are many ways digital can permeate people’s lives and create access to opportunities,” she explained.
Coffee emphasised that the real value of digital transformation lies in its ability to expand access—allowing individuals and businesses across different countries to participate in the digital economy.
She said this requires solutions that are practical, scalable and aligned with the needs of everyday users.
She also commended Ghana’s policy direction, noting that leadership within the financial sector understands the importance of digital transformation and is actively supporting innovation.
“I’m excited that we have leadership that understands what we are doing and where we are going,” she said.
Cofie concluded on an optimistic note, expressing confidence that Ghana’s combination of talent, infrastructure and policy support will enable it to play a central role in driving Africa’s digital finance agenda.
“As Ghanaians, we should be proud. We are well positioned to lead the continent,” she said.
