Author: ethelcofie

Why Most Corporate-Startup Partnerships Fail—and How to Fix It! (My lessons from judging top corporate startup competitions)

Posted on October 14, 2024October 14, 2024 by ethelcofie

Having had the privilege of judging numerous business pitch competitions across various industries—including the USAID Armyworm Challenge, the MTN Challenge for several years, the Africa Engineering Prize, MIT Solve, the Ghana Government Presidential Pitch, GSMA GLOMO Awards, and most recently the Ecobank Fintech Challenge—I’ve gained deep insights into the intersection of corporate and startup worlds. These competitions are a testament to the corporate sector’s desire to stay attuned to emerging trends in technology and innovation, a vital step in avoiding irrelevance. However, beyond the excitement of the pitch, I’ve observed a consistent gap: many corporates struggle to effectively capitalize on the potential of startup partnerships to truly drive growth.

What If MTN Ghana Became a Bank? Would It Be Bigger Than Your Bank?

Posted on August 27, 2024 by ethelcofie

I left the conference thinking about what it would look like if telecom companies in Ghana could get banking licenses. I conducted an analysis of the potential effects, focusing on MTN due to its significant market share. It is important to note that MTN has clearly stated it is not seeking a banking license.

My analysis is based on data from the Ghana Banking Industry Report 2023 (A Report by LIMA Partners), the NCA data subscription analysis for December 2022 to January 2023, MTN Ghana’s FY 2023 results, and the BFT Banking Industry’s Performance in 2023 at a glance article, which is based on the summary of macroeconomic and financial data released by the Bank of Ghana (BoG).

AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol Has Being Adopted:Now What ?

Posted on August 26, 2024August 26, 2024 by ethelcofie

Following protracted negotiations, and industry consultations, the 37th African Union (“AU”) Heads of States Summit held on 17 – 18 February 2024, adopted the much anticipated AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade (“AfCFTA Digital Protocol”).

10 Critical Questions to Ask About Digital Strategies in Ghana’s Election Manifestos

Posted on August 22, 2024August 26, 2024 by ethelcofie

As Ghana enters an election year and manifesto season is in full swing, digital transformation has become a hot topic. Given its pivotal role in national development, it’s crucial to ask the right questions when evaluating the digital and tech promises in these manifestos. I’m not wading into politics—just offering a framework, from a tech perspective, to help Ghanaians critically assess the digital strategies of those vying for leadership.

Team led by Ethel Cofie Develops Ghana’s First AI Curriculum for Technical Universities – Shaping the Future of AI Education in Ghana

Posted on August 19, 2024August 19, 2024 by ethelcofie

n Ghana’s educational system landscape, a transformative journey is unfolding. The Commission for Vocational and Technical Education, an agency under the Ministry of Education, is spearheading an ambitious initiative to develop the nation’s first curriculum for Artificial Intelligence (AI) tailored specifically for programs in technical universities. This groundbreaking endeavor is set to equip students with the practical knowledge and skills needed to thrive in the fast-evolving AI industry, fostering a generation of innovators poised to lead Ghana into a new era of technological advancement.

Ethel Cofie’s Keynote at the 75th Anniversary of the Ghana Jounalist Association

Posted on August 19, 2024August 19, 2024 by ethelcofie

Speaking at the Ghana Jounalist Association 75th Anniversary

AI for Africa: The What’s, How’s and When’s

Posted on July 23, 2024July 23, 2024 by ethelcofie

AI is projected to add a staggering $2.9 trillion to Africa’s economy by 2030, increasing the annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth by three percent. Despite Africa’s immense potential, it currently represents only 2.5% of the global AI market, underscoring the need for increased investment and development in this field.

Reevaluating the European Union’s Influence on Africa’s Tech Policy Landscape

Posted on July 22, 2024July 22, 2024 by ethelcofie

The European Union is significantly influencing Africa’s digital transformation through funding, training, and regulatory support. While beneficial, concerns arise about policy suitability for Africa’s unique context. EU initiatives in infrastructure, skills, and cybersecurity are highlighted, alongside recommendations for Africa to adopt more flexible, locally adapted tech policies and learn from global best practices.

My Comparative Analysis of the Ghana Security Exchange Commission’s 2024 Crowdfunding Guidelines: Lessons from Africa and Emerging Markets

Posted on June 21, 2024June 21, 2024 by ethelcofie

My Comparative Analysis of the Ghana Security Exchange Commission’s 2024 Crowdfunding Guidelines: Lessons from Africa and Emerging Markets The Securities

Why 100K of My Followers Lied……

Posted on June 19, 2024 by ethelcofie

A recent social media poll showed 80% of respondents preferred earning $1 million while their friends earned $2 million, implying a focus on absolute income. However, research by Solnick and Hemenway (1998) reveals people value relative income more, preferring to earn less if it means they earn more than their peers. This has implications for workplace satisfaction, social media influencer dynamics, and housing market choices. Understanding relative income’s influence can help improve job satisfaction, societal well-being, and create fairer economic policies.