The annual ICT4D Conferences have proven to be an invaluable opportunity for NGOs, private sector organizations, universities, governmental agencies and foundations to share their experience in using ICT to increase the impact of development programs and to learn from each other. In 2016, 715 individuals from 76 countries and 301 private sector and public sector and civil society explored the ways to harness the full power of digital solutions to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Our thanks to Accenture, Catholic Relief Services, Esri, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, iMerit Technology Services, Inmarsat, IS Solutions, Making All Voices Count, Mercy Corps, Microsoft, NetHope, Oxfam, Pandexio, Qualcom Wireless Reach, RTI International, SimbaNet and World Vision for making that possible.
As Mobile Network Operators launch Mobile Money, banks launch Mobile Banking services, regulators on the other hand are playing catch-up, with inclusive/cashless/branchless banking policies. Banking executives and ICT experts, have expressed growing concerns of the pervasiveness of Mobile Network Operators on their traditional terrain. The potential of wiping out traditional banking (brick and mortar) services has never been apparent until now. This presentation examines the case of Ghana's financial inclusive ecosystem to ascertain whether the pro-inclusive policies and guidelines have the potential of strengthening the nascent mobile money sector, while weakening the competitive advantage of the more entrenched traditional banking sector.
Out of the six MNOs , there are four active mobile money service providers with an average mobile subscriber base of approximately 5 million. Mobile telephony as an ICT sub-sector is noted to be one of the most dynamic, yet disruptive and transformative sub-sector of ICT anchored on innovation and development. In essence, this presentation attempts to map out the disruptive potential of inclusive digital financial policy as it excludes traditional banking services in Ghana.
