On November 11, 2025, industry leaders gathered at the National Bank and Ethics Conference for what would become one of the clearest wake-up calls to Ghana’s financial sector. In a bold, fast-paced, and insight-packed delivery, Dr. Stephane Nwolley, CEO of Npontu, challenged bankers, regulators, and policymakers to rethink everything they know about banking, technology, and the future of financial services in Ghana.
This was not just another keynote.
It was a strategic nudge- no, a push urging Ghana’s banking industry to evolve before disruption forces its hand.
A Strong Call From the Minister of Education
Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, Minister of Education, set the tone with a powerful message.
He outlined gaps and expectations that the banking sector can no longer ignore:
- Currency Stability: A challenge to bankers to help Ghana attain the kind of long-term currency stability seen in global hubs like Dubai.
- Stronger Compliance: Banks must sharpen risk management and obey Bank of Ghana regulations without compromise.
- Fighting Fraud: With over GH¢90 million lost to fraud, he called for full support of a robust National ID system.
- Ethics Isn’t Optional: Mis-selling and aggressive debt recovery? “Unacceptable,” the Minister stressed. Ethical banking is now a national imperative.
His remarks framed the conversation around one truth: Banking has a direct impact on Ghana’s development and the transformation must start now.
The Rise of African-Built Tech
Dr. Stephane Nwolley’s presentation then shifted the energy in the room. He introduced Npontu technologies not just as a tech company, but as a Pan-African innovation engine with operations across Ghana, Nigeria, and beyond.
Digital Disruption: No Longer a Trend, A Threat and an Opportunity
Dr. Nwolley broke down the four forces shaking the global banking sector:
1. AI Will Become Invisible- Because It Will Be Everywhere
“Very soon, no one will claim to be an ‘AI company.’ Your systems will simply be AI-native.”
He emphasized that global AI tools don’t fully grasp Ghanaian context.
Snwolley AI does and is already helping banks in:
- Credit scoring
- Customer profiling (yes, even analyzing social media behavior)
- Fraud prediction
- Lending decisions
2. Cybersecurity Must Be Built- Not Bought Later
Digital transformation comes with higher risks. He warned that banks must embed cybersecurity into every new system.
“Security by design” is no longer optional.
3. Open Banking Is Coming – And Telecoms Are Already Ahead
Banks must prepare for an era where customers can give consent for their data to move freely between institutions.
But here’s the twist:
MTN has already created its own form of open banking through Mobile Money.
If banks don’t invest in APIs now, they won’t be able to compete in the next decade.
4. Blockchain & Stablecoins Are Quietly Eating Remittances
This stat shook the room:
In 2023, Ghana received $4.7 billion in remittances through traditional channels. But over $9 billion moved through stable coins and crypto- quietly bypassing banks.
Globally, $7 trillion flows through stablecoins – with fees below 1%.
Compare that to traditional transfers at 6.2%.
His warning was clear:
If banks don’t adopt blockchain, blockchain will adopt their customers.
Practical Proof: What Npontu Has Already Built
Dr. Nwolley didn’t just theorize, he demonstrated what disruption looks like in action:
- AI HR Robot (KedebahHr): Interviews candidates and scores cultural fit.
- Data Lakes & AI Analytics: Bank managers can ask their data questions in natural language.
- WhatsApp AI Agents (Snwolley): 24/7 customer support powered by a company’s own website content.
- AI Meeting Assistant (Snwolley meet): Automatically listens, understands, and summarizes discussions.
This showed the room one thing:
Digital transformation is not futuristic, it’s happening now in Ghana.
Actionable Recommendations for the Banking Sector
For Banks
- Invest in local AI that understands African behavior and context.
- Build API systems for open banking readiness.
- Develop a blockchain and stablecoin strategy for cross-border payments.
- Implement cybersecurity by design from day one.
For Government & Regulators
- Fast-track national ID rollout to reduce fraud.
- Convene a roundtable with Bank of Ghana and industry leaders on open banking and blockchain.
For Institutions & Teams
- Shift from technology excitement to intentional technology execution.
- Upskill leadership on AI, cybersecurity, and blockchain fundamentals.
Final Takeaway: The Future Belongs to Institutions That Move With Intention
The 2025 National Banking and Ethics Conference didn’t just highlight challenges, it revealed opportunities that Ghana’s financial sector must seize.
Dr.Stephane Nwolley’s message landed with precision:
Disruption is here. And the institutions that embrace it now will lead the next generation of banking in Ghana.
As he concluded, one line echoed throughout the venue:
“Don’t just be excited about technology, be intentional with it”
This conference wasn’t just informative. It was transformational, a roadmap for what Ghana’s banking future can become.
