Ing. Patricia Obo-Nai, the leader of Telecel Ghana, championed the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in businesses to diversify the economy at the 8th Ghana CEO Summit.
She won CEO of the Year in the telecommunications sector at the event and delivered a keynote speech highlighting AI’s role in economic expansion.
“As CEOs, we all have a responsibility to use AI to improve productivity, open new doors, and stay relevant,” she stated. “We must all contribute to economic diversification through our sectors.”
Obo-Nai pointed to Telecel Ghana’s transformation from its beginnings to a leading provider of mobile, fixed-line, tech, and financial services.
She emphasized that telecoms are the foundation of the digital world, and using AI to speed up service, enhance customer experience, and stay ahead is essential for both the industry and Ghana’s success.
Obo-Nai shared how Telecel Ghana has embraced AI. They’ve fostered a culture of digital awareness and adopted an agile work style to integrate advanced digital technology across operations.
Telecel Ghana has embedded AI and machine learning into their product design to create personalized data and voice plans.
The systems study customer behavior, like data and airtime usage, to recommend plans that fit their buying power and habits. Additionally, they use AI to predict creditworthiness, credit limits, and the likelihood of repayment before offering airtime advances or loans through their mobile money platform, Telecel Cash.
Obo-Nai also promoted collaboration between sectors to maximize AI’s potential for broader economic growth.
She mentioned Telecel Ghana’s ongoing work with the energy and extractive sectors to digitize utility monitoring, remote asset checks, and real-time system maintenance, among other projects.
While advocating for AI use, Obo-Nai stressed the importance of responsible and proper implementation. She advised leaders to establish ethical guidelines and policies to prevent misuse of the technology.
This includes navigating complex regulations, addressing data privacy and security concerns, and ensuring everyone benefits from AI.
Obo-Nai concluded by urging business leaders to see AI as a tool for efficiency and economic diversification, emphasizing, “The future is here. We can achieve it through bold leadership and strategic investment in digital innovation. Think AI, use AI.”
The 8th Ghana CEO Summit focused on “Reigniting Business and Economic Growth: Charting a Path Forward; Economic Diversification and Artificial Intelligence Transformation. A Private-Public Sector CEO Dialogue & High Impact Learning.” Since its launch in 2016, the summit has gathered CEOs, heads of state, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders from West Africa and around the world to discuss solutions for economic growth and development.
