Ghana and the Multinationals

I was in Ghana yesterday. At first sight it struck me how well Accra was emerging from the past, and taking its rightful place on the bight of Africa where it borders Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Togo and the Atlantic Ocean. No wonder the multinationals are keen to get a foot in.

Mobile is the artery that moves data around Ghana. The locals use it for social relaxation and access to the internet. Mobility is an increasingly attractive option in corporate world full of employees that only vaguely remembers landlines, there is a real need and demand for better connectivity.

Vodafone Ghana is in the process of investing CEDI 150 Million in its networks. That’s about half the amount in $US. It’s using this as a springboard for new large and medium enterprise mobility solutions, and is targeting government and corporates alike. Last year it launched the program under the byline limitless possibilities, signaling the release of Mi-Fi, Wi-Fi, Web Box, Internet Cafés and High Speed Dongles. All things we take for granted back home. All cause for excitement locally.

Breaking news was that Ghana Web had announced that the nation’s capex investments were US$ 5.63 billion in 2012 compared to US$ 7.68 billion the previous year, representing a 22.37% decline. According to the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre the value of foreign contributions in the 4^th quarter represented 79.86% of the total. This is well within the African ballpark given the state of the world economy.

The Ghana Export Promotion authority is taking significant steps to protect the nation’s export base by complying with the European Union Food Law. 38% of total exports ($499 Billion) are exported to the EEC, with food set to make a critical contribution at $3.3 Billion this year. The EU law stipulates that food origins and transport history be documented to deter shipping of dangerous products.

This is becoming reality as a geographic mapping system is rolling out that will become the single data base of agro processors and food exporters. Mobile will by default be the only conduit for updating information online. Fields will include geospatial locations of farms, factories and shipping firms, and detailed product movements as food passes through the value chain.

I left Ghana in an upbeat mood. Huge opportunities exist for all the the multinationals and the Ghana government understands their value. Mobility is firmly on the road and Vodafone is at the forefront of it.

REFERENCES

http://www.citifmonline.com/index.php?id=1.1239349

http://business.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/201301/100356.php

http://www.spyghana.com/enterprise-mobile-computing/

http://www.quora.com/Ghana/What-are-the-biggest-constraints-to-multinational-companies-moving-to-Accra-Ghana

http://www.biztechafrica.com/article/vodafone-ghana-punts-enterprise-business/2438/

http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=264380