Ghana needs stronger innovation financing, effective implementation of youth-focused policies and an enabling digital ecosystem to help young entrepreneurs translate their ideas into sustainable businesses, speakers at the Ghana Youth Tech Summit 2026 have said.
They argued that although young people possess the creativity and technical capabilities to drive economic transformation, limited access to capital, mentorship, infrastructure and markets continues to constrain their potential.
Founder of the Bako Ambianda Foundation, Bako Ambianda, said Africa’s development would increasingly depend on its ability to create and commercialise technology rather than remain a consumer of innovations developed elsewhere.
“The future of Africa will not be determined by what we consume, but by what we create, what we build,” he said.
He maintained that Ghana and other African countries must build an inclusive digital economy that provides young people, regardless of their geographical or economic circumstances, with access to digital skills, infrastructure, technology and entrepreneurial opportunities.
Mr. Ambianda identified access to capital and strategic partnerships as major challenges facing African entrepreneurs but argued that funding alone would not guarantee business success.
“Capital follows opportunities, credibility, strong execution, and the potential to generate sustainable returns,” he said, urging young entrepreneurs to demonstrate business traction, maintain financial discipline and develop relationships with investors.
He also called for greater emphasis on building sustainable enterprises rather than startups driven solely by the excitement surrounding new ideas.
“Don’t learn technology. Build it. Don’t chase opportunities. Create them. Don’t just build startups. Build businesses that can outlive you,” he challenged participants.
Deputy Project Manager of the Digital and Innovation Unit at the Green Digital Inclusion for Private Sector Development (GDI-PSD) project of Expertise France, Ammishaddai Ofori, said policy and regulatory frameworks must create favourable conditions for businesses to become greener, adopt digital technologies and compete internationally.
He said the European Union-funded initiative was pursuing three objectives: enabling innovative financing for businesses, working with policy and regulatory authorities to improve the business environment, and developing entrepreneurial capacity.
Under its innovative financing component, the project is supporting a Green Financing Model through the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF).
Mr. Ofori said the project was also working with academic institutions and the private sector to ensure research translates into commercial opportunities rather than remaining theoretical.
He encouraged young businesses seeking international opportunities to strengthen their corporate documentation and develop clear business plans.
“Properly documenting the business that you are doing” and having a clear business plan would help entrepreneurs position themselves for opportunities, particularly in European markets, he said.
Executive Director of Nova Impact Africa, Celestina Aidoo, meanwhile, called for stronger implementation of government interventions designed to support young entrepreneurs.
While acknowledging existing initiatives, including the government’s 1 Million Coders programme, she said the critical issue was whether such policies were producing measurable benefits for young people.
“If we do not see the results, we just hear the initiative, then it becomes a problem,” she said.
Ms. Aidoo called for targeted funding, mentorship and coaching, stressing that financial support without appropriate guidance could undermine the ability of young businesses to scale.
“Funding without mentorship is zero,” she said, urging government institutions and established business leaders to provide sustained support to emerging innovators.
The Ghana Youth Tech Summit, held on November 7 at the Cedi Conference Centre of the University of Ghana, Legon, was organised by Nova Impact Africa under the theme, “Building What’s Next: Youth Driving Innovation & Inclusive Growth”.
