Ascend Digital pioneers Ghana’s digital revolution, revolutionizing the sphere with initiatives like the Rural Telephony Program, elevating connectivity from Accra to rural Bawku, and envisioning Africa’s borderless digital future.
“Our focus is to ignite and create that space where multinationals can see Africa as a place for the next Industrial 4.0 revolution.” Harkirit Singh, CEO of Ascend Digital Solutions Ltd.
Ascend Digital Solutions, under the leadership of CEO Harkirit Singh, has been spearheading a remarkable transformation in Ghana’s digital landscape since 2021. Singh, reflecting on his journey, highlights the motivating factors driving the company’s success. “We’ve achieved key transformations as part of delivering the digital agenda,” Singh affirms, emphasizing their commitment to enhancing connectivity and infrastructure nationwide.
One of Ascend Digital’s pivotal initiatives has been the Rural Telephony Program, which aims to deploy a robust mobile network across rural areas. Singh says, “We’re revitalizing and regenerating digital infrastructure, ensuring reliable connectivity from Accra to Bawku.” This initiative addresses connectivity gaps and lays the groundwork for socioeconomic development in remote regions.
Moreover, Ascend Digital has made substantial investments in national data centers, fiber infrastructure, and 4G LTE fixed wireless access networks, positioning itself as a leading provider of connectivity solutions to government agencies. Singh says, “We’ve earned credibility from public institutions, facilitating their digital transformation journey.” By onboarding ministries focused on critical sectors like energy, health, and mining, Ascend Digital is leveraging its data centers and cloud infrastructure to drive efficiency and innovation.
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Transforming Digital Infrastructure Across Africa
In a groundbreaking collaboration with AT Ghana, Ascend Digital recently completed the E-Transform program, a monumental effort connecting essential facilities like post offices, police stations, and hospitals across Ghana. Singh says, “This initiative, possibly the largest in West Africa, establishes a robust digital infrastructure extending to rural areas.” With a 100-gig backbone and upgraded data centers, Ascend Digital is poised to advance 4G and 5G services nationwide.
Singh outlines Ascend Digital’s overarching mission: “We aim to be a trusted partner in transforming digital infrastructure across Africa.” The company’s strategy revolves around fostering open-access neutral networks, enabling governments to enhance connectivity and drive digital innovation. “We’re not just building infrastructure; we’re creating opportunities for commercialization,” Singh says, underscoring Ascend Digital’s commitment to fostering collaboration with mobile network operators and internet service providers.
Ascend Digital’s strategic partnership with IUDX marks a pivotal moment in harnessing federated data exchange technology across the African continent. Singh says, “What we want to build up is an African- wide platform to establish autonomous federated databases within the countries, and these databases can interoperate and exchange information across countries.” This vision transcends borders, aiming to create a seamless environment for trade, mobility, and economic transactions. “Our vision is to build up a borderless Africa,” he adds.
The company’s commitment to innovation and excellence hasn’t gone unnoticed. Ascend Digital was honored as one of the ‘Most Innovative Companies to Watch 2023’ and received accolades such as the ‘Promoting Public Sector Digital Inclusion Award’ in Ghana. These recognitions underscore Ascend Digital’s pivotal role in driving the region’s digital transformation and socio-economic development.
Central to Ascend Digital’s mission is providing reliable infrastructure and e-government services. Singh highlights the transformative impact of their services, stating, “Before we took over, the availability in the data center was less than 80%. We now see almost 100% availability of these services.” From birth registrations to e-passport programs, Ascend Digital’s contributions have streamlined essential government services, fostering trust and efficiency in digital infrastructure.
Beyond corporate achievements, Ascend Digital is deeply invested in social responsibility. Singh elucidates their efforts in fostering digital literacy and empowering youth, particularly girls, through initiatives like the Geek Africa program. “We are looking at building more skills and capabilities by encouraging and motivating young people to move into the space of technology,” Singh says. By nurturing talent and promoting inclusivity, Ascend Digital is laying the groundwork for a thriving digital ecosystem.
Ascend Digital is poised for expansion beyond Ghana. Singh reveals, “Our success in Ghana is a blueprint for digital transformation in other markets.” With interest from neighboring countries like Senegal and Mali, Ascend Digital is positioned to replicate its achievements and accelerate digital growth across Africa. “We’re ready to partner with governments to leverage our infrastructure and expertise,” Singh says, highlighting Ascend Digital’s role as a catalyst for digital advancement continent-wide.
Singh discusses Ascend Digital’s joint venture with AT Ghana to develop a nationwide optical fiber infrastructure, extending connectivity to previously underserved areas. He highlights the transformative impact of these efforts, saying, “Now we’re bringing that digital currency into places that were never connected before.” From healthcare facilities to post offices and districts, Ascend Digital is bridging the digital divide and enabling access to essential services.
Laying The Foundation for Economic Growth
Ascend Digital Solutions envisions a future where Africa emerges as a hub for software-centric solutions and high-skilled digital jobs. Singh elaborates on their ambitious plans to establish innovation hubs and software service factories across the ECOWAS region, starting with Ghana. “Our target is to build those factories in the next five years to generate approximately 20 to 30,000 jobs in software services,” Singh says. By creating avenues for upward mobility and economic empowerment, Ascend Digital seeks to catalyze Africa’s transition into the forefront of the global digital economy.
The CEO underscores Ghana’s unique approach to digital infrastructure development, citing initiatives such as the rural telephony program and public-private partnerships for national infrastructure. Singh praises the government’s vision and execution, saying, “The way the government has envisioned and the way it has been able to work to deliver those programs through the private sector allows investors to look and come to the economy, which is open.”
Ascend has further deepened its commitment to collaborations by partnering with the Government of Ghana, Nokia, Radisys, Tech Mahindra, and telecom players in Ghana to launch Africa’s first 4G and 5G shared mobile broadband infrastructure. This new joint initiative called Next Gen InfraCo (NGIC) will deliver affordable 5G mobile services to Ghanaians across the country, with plans to extend this across Africa.
Collaborative efforts between the government and the private sector have led to significant investments in Ghana’s digital infrastructure, laying the foundation for sustained economic growth. Recent developments, including the entry of new players like Telecel and ongoing discussions with investment banks, further exemplify Ghana’s appeal to international investors. Singh says, “That shows international investors who are putting a lot of faith in the policies, a lot of faith in the market that exists in Ghana, and investing in that digital infrastructure that allows the economy to grow.”
Singh articulates his vision for Ghana as the first digital-ready nation, where citizens can access services around the clock. He envisions “a 24/7 economy,” emphasizing the importance of building infrastructure that operates beyond traditional working hours. Ascend Digital has been instrumental in realizing this vision, with initiatives like the rural telephony program and establishing national backbone data centers.
Looking ahead, Singh emphasizes the importance of expanding connectivity to schools, judiciaries, and community centers. He envisions the proliferation of community Internet centers, empowering individuals in digital corridors across Ghana. Ascend Digital remains committed to advancing Ghana’s digital agenda, catalyzing innovation, and driving inclusive growth.
Ascend Digital Solution’s journey under Harkirit Singh’s leadership exemplifies a commitment to excellence and innovation in the digital realm. With a focus on bridging connectivity gaps, empowering governments, and driving socioeconomic progress, Ascend Digital is poised to positively shape Africa’s digital future.
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