The National Lottery Authority (NLA) has entered into a strategic partnership with Fidelity Bank Ghana to modernise its operations through a major digital transformation programme aimed at improving service delivery, enhancing customer experience and reclaiming revenue lost to illegal lottery operators.
The partnership, unveiled in Accra, will introduce new Android-based point-of-sale (POS) terminals, faster prize payments and enhanced digital infrastructure to strengthen the Authority’s nationwide retail network.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Director-General of the NLA, Mohammed Abdul-Salam, described the agreement as a landmark investment that addresses the technological challenges that have affected the Authority’s point-of-sale operations for almost a decade.
He noted that Lotto Marketing Companies (LMCs), which have long served as the backbone of the NLA’s operations across the country, have relied on obsolete 2G connectivity and manual keypad terminals while the financial services and retail sectors embraced modern digital technologies.
According to him, the partnership was the result of nearly one year of technical assessments, commercial negotiations and risk evaluations to ensure a long-term solution that benefits the Authority, its agents and lottery players.
“This is a modernisation agreement in the fullest sense. It replaces obsolete terminals and unreliable connectivity with current-generation point-of-sale equipment and dependable network infrastructure,” Mr. Abdul-Salam said.
Beyond the technology upgrade, he announced a significant increase in the instant prize payment limit through the POS channel. Under the new arrangement, the maximum instant payout has increased from GH¢1,200 to GH¢30,000.
He explained that the higher payout ceiling would improve convenience for players and make the official lottery system more competitive.
The partnership also introduces a prize discounting arrangement through Fidelity Bank, allowing qualifying winners to receive immediate payment from the bank while the NLA reimburses the financial institution over an agreed period.
Mr. Abdul-Salam said the initiative would improve customer confidence while maintaining the Authority’s financial discipline.
He observed that the NLA continues to face intense competition from illegal lottery operators, which account for an estimated GH¢1 billion in lost revenue each year.
“We cannot regulate our way out of the challenge alone. We must compete with better technology, faster services and a superior customer experience,” he stated.
Director-General of the NLA, Mohammed Abdul-Salam and Managing Director of Fidelity Bank Ghana, Julian Opuni
Managing Director of Fidelity Bank Ghana, Julian Opuni, described the collaboration as an important step in transforming Ghana’s lottery industry through digital innovation.
He noted that despite Ghana’s rapid adoption of digital financial services, the lottery sector continues to lose significant revenue to informal operators.
“The issue is not demand. Ghanaians continue to play. The real challenge is access, trust and relevance in a digital age,” he said.
Mr. Opuni disclosed that the partnership aims to achieve a tenfold increase in lottery deposits over the next three years by expanding digital access, formalising lottery activities and restoring public confidence in the official system.
As part of the project, Fidelity Bank will deploy 5,000 Android-based POS terminals nationwide to simplify ticket sales, improve transaction verification, accelerate reconciliation processes and reduce manual errors.
The new platform will also provide regional managers with real-time visibility of transactions and sales activities, enabling better decision-making and improved operational oversight.
Mr. Opuni assured Lotto Marketing Companies and their agents that the technology would improve efficiency, increase sales volumes and enhance commission earnings.
He expressed confidence that the partnership would help the NLA reclaim a significant share of the estimated GH¢1 billion lost annually to illegal lottery activities while positioning the Authority at the centre of Ghana’s growing digital economy.
The nationwide rollout of the new terminals and payment systems is expected to begin in the coming months.
Source: businesspostonline
