MTN CTIO Roundtable: Experts Highlight AI, Blockchain, Cloud as Game Changers for Africa

News Ghana, Latest Updates and Breaking News of Ghana, Ike Dzokpo, https://newsghana.com.gh/mtn-ctio-roundtable-experts-highlight-ai-blockchain-cloud-as-game-changers-for-africa/The MTN Business CTIO Roundtable Africa 2025 has been held in Accra under the theme “Transforming Business Strategies and Operational Efficiency.

”The high-level forum brought together leading technology executives, innovators, policy advisors, and business leaders to explore the growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI) on Africa’s digital transformation journey.Angela Mensah Poku Chief Enterprise Business Officer Of MTN GhanaSpeaking at the forum, Angela Mensah-Poku, Chief Enterprise Business Officer of MTN Ghana, stressed the significance of deliberate conversations and actionable collaborations. “Last year, we opened up the conversation around practical use cases for AI.



This year, we are doubling down on real applications and deliberate action.” This year, we are building on that momentum with even more focus and dedication.”Mensah-Poku highlighted how AI is now a mainstream topic, even in casual conversations.

“You can’t go to a christening or a wedding without hearing someone talk about AI. It’s everywhere,” she noted.“Today’s panel will explore the next level of transformation in business through technology,” she added.

“This is not just about following trends—it’s about creating unique, locally relevant solutions for African businesses.”“We are proud to host this platform that fosters bold ideas, challenges traditional thinking, and encourages innovation that works for Africa,” she added.Chief Information Officer Of MTN Ghana Mr Bernard AcquahMTN Ghana CIO Outlines Seven Key AI Strategies to Accelerate Digital TransformationChief Information Officer of MTN Ghana, Mr.

Bernard Acquah, called on African businesses to fully embrace artificial intelligence and data-driven strategies to unlock innovation and remain competitive in the digital era.“AI is not just the future—it is the present. The companies that thrive will be those that embed AI not just in their tech stacks, but in their business strategies and workplace models,” he stated.

Citing recent studies, he noted that AI could contribute up to $4.4 trillion annually to the global economy, but emphasized that the greatest value would come from solving high-impact, practical challenges.He outlined several strategic approaches to harnessing artificial intelligence for digital transformation.

He encouraged businesses to begin with small-scale, high-impact pilot projects and scale gradually. Citing a practical example, he noted that BMW had achieved an 18 percent reduction in global error rates by integrating AI into its visual inspection processes. Mr.

Acquah , also urged organizations to leapfrog outdated systems by embracing mobile-first solutions, especially in industries such as financial services, where legacy infrastructure often poses a challenge.He called for the elimination of inefficiencies in data handling by using AI to streamline operations and reduce manual bottlenecks.He emphasized that AI should be seen as a tool to empower—not replace—the workforce, referencing Morgan Stanley’s AI assistant, which has helped financial advisors cut research time by up to 90 percent.

Highlighting the foundational role of accurate data, he stressed that “smart algorithms demand smart data,” and advised businesses to prioritize data integrity as they adopt AI solutions.He also drew attention to the need for investment in talent, particularly with over 375 million young Africans expected to enter the workforce by 2030. According to him, digital education, including training in data analytics and machine learning, is crucial to preparing the continent’s youth for the AI-driven future.

Mr Acquah however, underscored the importance of ethical leadership in AI adoption, stating that the responsible use of artificial intelligence will be a key differentiator for future-ready organizations.“The leaders who act now—across sectors and borders—will redefine industries, attract top talent, and unlock the continent’s full potential,” Acquah said. GCB Bank CIO: AI and Data Must Be Core to Business StrategyThe Chief Information Officer of GCB Bank, Abel Lomotey Daitey, also urged African business leaders to stop seeing artificial intelligence, data analytics, blockchain, and cloud computing as emerging trends and instead embrace them as essential components of modern business strategy.

Stressing that, African firms must stop treating technology as a back-office function and start integrating it into core business operations. “AI is not just a buzzword anymore. If your organization still hasn’t begun engaging with it, that’s a problem,” he said.

He pointed to the power of AI and data analytics in creating hyper-personalized customer experiences, where systems anticipate customer preferences and respond accordingly.Beyond AI, he addressed the importance of blockchain, particularly in relation to Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) like Ghana’s e-Cedi. While regulators remain cautious, he noted that younger customers are already active in cryptocurrency markets.

Mr . Daitey emphasized the critical importance of cloud computing, cautioning that organizations that fail to prepare for cloud adoption risk becoming obsolete. He encouraged banks to work collaboratively with regulatory authorities to ensure a secure and compliant transition to cloud-based infrastructure.

He underscored the significance of developing digital skills. Illustrating his point with an anecdote, he recounted how a young employee resolved a complex problem using AI more efficiently than a panel of experts. “That’s the mindset we need—goal-oriented, adaptable, and technologically proficient.

AI and technology must be integral to business strategy. They are your business strategy,” he affirmed.Npontu CEO: AI Systems Must Be Locally Built and Culturally RelevantThe CEO of Npontu Technologies, Dr .

Stephane Nwolley, underscored the need for Africa to build AI systems rooted in local realities.He noted that Africa’s digital transformation must not rely on imported models that fail to reflect the continent’s socio-cultural and infrastructural complexities.Dr .

Nwolley, pointed to challenges like inconsistent civil registration systems as evidence that Africa needs customized AI tools. “There was a time when one person could have three or four birth certificates,” he said. “How do we digitize that and ensure trust in our own structures?”He revealed that Npontu is partnering with governments and enterprises to modernize systems using AI-driven tools tailored to local behaviours and languages.

In the education sector, he introduced the Small Later Learner, an AI-based learning assistant that adapts to individual student thinking patterns for a more personalized and pressure-free learning experience.He also described how Npontu is helping small businesses—especially informal online sellers—use conversational AI for improved customer service. These tools learn from past interactions and escalate unresolved issues to human agents.

Importantly, he warned against the use of unmodified foreign AI models, highlighting the risk of cultural bias. “These biases can’t be ignored. They must be trained into the model or they’ll be trained out by default,” he said.

Nwolley emphasized that all of Npontu’s systems are developed in alignment with ethical standards, local values, and privacy protections comparable to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). “We’re not just building technology—we’re building trust,” he affirmed.He called for deeper collaboration between data scientists, domain experts, and policymakers to ensure that AI solutions are fit-for-purpose and authentically African.

Google AI Manager: Africa Must Invest in Infrastructure and Talent to Lead DigitallyProgramme Manager at Google’s AI lab in Africa, Abdoulaye Diack, emphasized that sustainable digital transformation on the continent hinges on robust infrastructure and local talent development.Recalling his early work with MTN, Diack praised the company’s longstanding digital vision. “Even back then, MTN was ahead of the curve.

Today, we see the results—mobile money has transformed how we live and transact.”He noted the progress in digital infrastructure, pointing to tools like Google Colab, which enables offline model development. He described this trend as part of an “open-school AI revolution.

”Diack highlighted the importance of nurturing African talent, citing the success of one of his team members whose weather prediction model, initially developed for Ghana, is now influencing forecasting across the continent.He welcomed recent infrastructure investments, such as undersea fiber-optic cables and the launch of a Google Cloud region in South Africa, which he said are vital for enabling African developers to access global-grade tools and platforms.He also announced an upcoming pan-African AI and machine learning conference in Ghana, aimed at bringing together top talent from across the continent.

Diack stressed the need for focused investment in data, infrastructure, and people. “With the right strategy, we’re not just catching up; we’re leading in areas that matter,” he said. Source: Isaac Kofi Dzokpo/newsghana.

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