Mobile Technology & Cyber Threats Promoting E-Commerce in Ghana Ruby Saakor Tetteh Ministry of Trade & Industry, Ghana Sixth Annual African Dialogue Consumer Protection Conference September 2014 Lilongwe, Malawi

Definition & Policy Perspective  E-commerce is the use of the internet for marketing, identification, payment and delivery of goods and services – Ayo, Adewoye and Oni 2011 Policy Context  Imperative to establish a legal framework on consumer protection policy in light of electronic commerce  Consumer concerns about shopping online and by other electronic means due to security, confidentiality and redress

Barriers To E-commerce 1. Technical Factors  Poor ICT Infrastructure & costs of telecommunications-related services;  Problems with access such as communications, skills and computing technology; 2. Financial Factors  Lack of investment capital;  Electronic payment systems - online payment using credit cards, store cards, debit cards etc;

Barriers To E-commerce Cont. 3. Logistical Factors  Complex, long winding and non-transparent customs clearance procedures;  Complex and slow business registration procedures. 4. Human Factors  Illiteracy & Non-availability of trained people;  Lack of policy research capacity in the public, private and academic sectors;  Potential threats to the privacy of personal and business data; 5. Policy and Regulatory Factors  A slow realization of the explosive potential of E-Commerce on the part of governments;  Lack of a clear, internationally agreed, regulatory framework and clarity

Ghana Context  Second most internet fraud prone country in Africa and 7 th most cyber-crime prone in the world o Hacking of official & private websites o Abduction of teenagers and used to solicit sexual exploitation abroad  About 82% of cyber-crimes occur in Ghana every month and about 1000 crimes a year  International orders on the internet in Ghana and Nigeria have been blocked by businesses in the US and Canada  Cyber attackers target computers of bank customers with high account balances and then roll out a customized version of already established maleware or virus to transfer large sums of money into mule accounts  Banking sector employees are inserting key loggers on machines to pick up passwords in collaboration with external agents

Cyber Threats  Fake anti-virus  Stranded traveller  Fake escrow  Advanced fee fraud – 419  Online banking fraud – stealing passwords, account numbers and data  Online Relationships – Fraud

E-Commerce Challenges  Unavailability of Internet Services  Lack of Awareness of Consumers  Fraud Online  Inability to Afford Services  Computer Illiteracy by citizens  Lack of knowledge on value of the internet

Status of E-Commerce Online Transactions  Mobile Money Bill Payment - cash, water, electricity, DSTV bills etc.  Online Services Websites - tonaton.com, ghanatrade.gov.gh, lamudi.com.gh, etransact.com.gh, etc.  Internet banking transactions - ATM Transactions  Internet Data Services on Cell Phones  SMS Text Services Indicative E-Government/E-Services/E-Business Transactions  E-Governance Services  E-Applications – e-justice, e-immigration, e-procurement, e- payment, e-services, e-education, e-health – GRA, RGD, Births & Deaths, Passports, etc.

Consumer Policy Prescriptions & Other Legislations  Government will ensure that consumers are provided with clear and sufficient information to make an informed choice about how to purchase online and through other electronic means  Government will support and encourage private-sector initiatives that include participation by consumer representatives and consumer protection pressure groups to be more vigilant and more effective to educate the population  Government will ensure stronger collaboration between the public and the private sectors ICT for Accelerated Development Policy, 2003 & Implementation Strategy, 2005 Electronic Communications Act 775, 2008 Electronic Transactions Act 772, 2008 Data Protection Act 843, 2012

Recommendations  Establish public key infrastructure to authenticate transactions by using digital signatures, encryption & security measures for online transactions  Establish secure and effective payment systems  Effective stakeholder collaboration between policy makers & law enforcement agencies  Create consumer awareness on e-commerce and benefits

Thank you