The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, Sam Nartey George, has announced a raft of tech-driven partnerships between Ghana and Zambia following the Zambia–Ghana Business Dialogue, describing the outcome as a “digital marriage” between the two countries.

Speaking after three days of engagements, Mr George praised Zambia’s Minister for Technology and Science, Felix Mutati, for the warm reception extended to a Ghanaian delegation of 12 tech CEOs, noting that the talks had moved swiftly from pitching ideas to sealing concrete deals.

“We came here hoping to knock, but we are leaving with a bride. In just 72 hours, we have consummated a digital marriage between Ghana and Zambia,” he said.

The Minister underscored Ghana’s digital transformation journey, tracing it to reforms initiated by President John Dramani Mahama during his tenure as Communications Minister in the late 1990s.

“The foundation of everything we have today was laid between 1997 and 2000. Artificial intelligence is now central to our development, and Ghana has positioned itself as a leading provider of AI-led solutions on the continent,” Mr George stated.

He stressed that President Mahama’s vision is firmly Pan-African.

“Our President has made it clear that no solution should be Ghana-based; it must be Africa-based. The solutions to Africa’s problems do not lie in New York or Geneva — they lie in Accra and Lusaka.”

Mr George revealed that Ghana will launch its revised National AI Strategy before the end of the quarter, alongside the One Million Coders Programme, which aims to train one million Ghanaians in AI-enabled skills over four years, with 400,000 beneficiaries expected this year alone. Ghana is also planning West Africa’s first AI computing centre, backed by a US$1 billion investment from the UAE.

On outcomes from the dialogue, he disclosed that over 30 strategic meetings were held, resulting in partnerships across logistics, fintech, cybersecurity, health tech, agri-tech and digital governance. Among the highlights was an agreement between Ghana’s Shak Express and Zambia’s King Express to support last-mile delivery and cross-border trade.

“We are establishing a two-way logistics route that will move up to 1,000 parcels weekly between Zambia and Ghana,” he said.

In health, Mino Health AI Lab is in talks to deploy generative AI tools across 2,000 health facilities in Zambia for disease surveillance and maternal care — a move projected to save up to 25,000 lives annually.

Overall, Mr George said the engagements had already secured US$7 million in signed transactions, with US$65 million in advanced negotiations and the potential to create about 8,000 jobs in Zambia.

“For us, Zambia is home. The reception we have received assures us that this partnership will be long and fruitful,” he said.

As a symbol of appreciation, the Ghanaian delegation presented Minister Mutati with a plaque bearing the Adinkra symbol “Shi Wonshi”, meaning “that which fire cannot burn.”

“May our relationship be imperishable and last like gold,” Mr George concluded.