Julius Debrah urges African digital market integration to boost trade

Chief of Staff Julius Debrah has called for the comprehensive integration of Africa’s digital markets to facilitate cross-border trade and enhance economic cooperation. Speaking at Mobex Africa 2026, he emphasized that connecting the continent's markets is essential for driving regional growth. Debrah advocated for the establishment of interoperable payment systems and the implementation of simplified, harmonized regulations to bridge the current gaps between national digital economies.

During his address, the Chief of Staff argued that digital sovereignty and economic integration must work in tandem rather than in opposition. He highlighted that Ghana, under the administration of President John Mahama, is prioritizing digital transformation as a means to enhance national productivity and modernize public services. To achieve this, Debrah noted that Ghana must move beyond being a passive consumer of foreign technology and instead focus on developing robust local capabilities that can compete on the global stage.

Pointing to Ghana’s political stability and youthful demographic as significant advantages, Debrah urged stakeholders to foster a more vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem. He stressed the importance of industry support in shaping the training and curriculum for graduates to ensure they meet the specific demands of a modern digital economy. This alignment between education and industry, he suggested, would serve as a critical metric for measuring the country’s overall digital progress and success in the coming years.