SoB-UEW Hosts Stakeholder Forum on Digital Finance and Rural Development
The School of Business (SoB) at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) has hosted a stakeholder forum that focused on the critical intersection of digital finance and rural development.
Held at the Jophus Anamuah-Mensah Conference Centre on Tuesday, 22nd July, 2025, the event drew students, lecturers, financial experts and tech innovators to explore how Ghana’s digital transformation can be harnessed to address economic disparities, particularly in underserved rural communities.
The event was organised as part of UEW’s broader effort to connect academic thought with real-world solutions and featured a keynote address from Mr. Joe Jackson, Chief Executive Officer of DaLEX Finance, a leading Ghanaian financial technology company. His presentation shed light on how digital financial tools are being used to create access, improve accountability and build resilience in rural economies.
Mr. Jackson praised UEW for leading forward-looking conversations that blend education with innovation. “This University is helping to shape the mindset of a new generation, one that is capable of using technology to transform the challenges of today into the solutions of tomorrow,” he said.
He stressed that for Ghana to experience inclusive growth, rural communities must not be left behind in the digital shift. According to him, sustainable development depends on expanding financial access to people who are often excluded from the formal banking sector.
Mr. Jackson introduced participants to several of DaLEX’s digital initiatives including the use of the Internet of Things (IoT) to remotely manage credit-linked assets, real-time data analytics to detect early signs of loan default and a unique biometric selfie-verification system that strengthens transaction security. These tools, he explained, have made it possible for DaLEX to serve rural and peri-urban clients efficiently without the need for heavy physical infrastructure.
“We are simply applying the same logic behind platforms like Spotify and Netflix, remote access, automated control and precision. Finance can be just as smart,” he added.
One of the highlights of the event was the introduction of DaLEX Solix, a fully digital investment product tailored to the financial habits and aspirations of millennials. Mr. Jackson also spoke about the company’s flagship SWIFT platform, which has successfully enrolled over 130,000 users across the country. These digital innovations, he emphasised, are proving that financial services can be fast, secure and inclusive when powered by the right technologies.
Mr. Jackson urged participants, especially the youth, to embrace innovation not only as a tool but as a mindset. “Different is better. Use what you have. Rural is real,” he stated. His call to action echoed UEW’s broader vision of equipping graduates with the skills and confidence to lead transformative change in their communities and across the country.
For UEW, the forum served as a platform not just for knowledge sharing but also for reinforcing its mission of producing critical thinkers and problem-solvers. The university has been intentional about creating opportunities for students and staff to engage with professionals across sectors, particularly in areas that align with national development goals such as financial inclusion, digital transformation and rural empowerment.
