Margins Group advocates digital identity as key driver of Ghana’s economic transformation

Mr. Moses Kwesi Baiden Jr., CEO of Margins Group, spoke at the 9th Ghana CEO Summit. The event took place in Accra on May 26, 2025. His keynote address focused on digital identity as key to Ghana's economic transformation.

The theme was “Digital Identity for Business and Economic Reset: Empower Ghana’s Transformation Agenda.” Mr. Baiden emphasized that secure digital identity systems drive inclusive growth and improve governance. They also enable trusted, data-driven decision-making.

Notable attendees included President John Dramani Mahama and Bank of Ghana Governor Dr. Johnson Pandit Asiama. Many distinguished CEOs, policymakers, and business leaders were present.

Mr. Baiden described digital identity as more than just a card or number. He called it “the passport for effective participation in the modern economy.” In today’s world, verifying identity securely is crucial for accessing services like banking and healthcare.

“Digital identity is about empowerment, economic acceleration, and trust,” he stated. It gives every citizen a voice and every business a customer.

He stressed that to build a 24-hour economy, Ghana must ensure all citizens have secure identities that work online and offline. Mr. Baiden traced the evolution of industrial revolutions, noting that the Fourth Industrial Revolution relies on accurate data.

“Trusted data begins with a trusted digital identity,” he emphasized. He warned that without strong identity systems, nations face fraud and inefficient governance.

“Trust at digital speed is the currency of this new economy,” he declared confidently. Mr. Baiden highlighted the Ghana Card as a proven digital identity infrastructure with significant impact.

He praised the National Identification Authority (NIA) for registering over 98% of adults in Ghana. The NIA has started assigning Ghana Card numbers at birth, creating an ongoing identity trail from birth to death.

“This enables real-time demographic intelligence,” he said. Through this system, Ghana can now monitor births, deaths, population movements, and household composition—data previously inaccessible or estimated.

Mr. Baiden illustrated how digital identity has improved government efficiency and revenue generation significantly. The integration of NIA with the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) boosted tax collection from GH₵75.71 billion in 2022 to GH₵153.5 billion in 2024—a 103% increase over two years.

He attributed this success to better taxpayer identification and digitized filing systems which reduced evasion. The Ghana Card serves as a unique access point for tax filings, enhancing compliance.

Mr. Baiden noted that trusted identities enable targeted social interventions and smarter infrastructure planning too. They also improve market segmentation for businesses and access to financial services.

In conclusion, he urged leaders to treat digital identity as a national strategic asset: “Identity is the great enabler.” It strengthens institutions and unlocks economic potential.

He called for continued investments in systems meeting international standards while ensuring privacy and security across sectors: “The future belongs to nations delivering trust at digital speed.”

His address received widespread approval from business leaders and policymakers alike; many viewed it as a timely blueprint for transforming Ghana’s economy through technology.