The National Lottery Authority (NLA) has entered into a strategic partnership with Fidelity Bank Ghana to modernize lottery operations through digital transformation, aimed at expanding market access, improving customer experience, and strengthening regulatory oversight across Ghana’s lottery ecosystem.

The partnership is expected to tackle longstanding operational and market challenges confronting the Authority, including the growing dominance of informal lottery operations, obsolete infrastructure, and limited player engagement.

The initiative will introduce a modern digital lottery platform, enhanced payment infrastructure, Android-based Point of Sale (POS) terminals, and instant prize payouts of up to GH₵30,000.

Speaking at the signing ceremony in Accra, the Director-General of the National Lottery Authority, Mohammed Abdul-Salam, described the agreement as a major milestone in reversing years of operational decline.

He said the initiative addresses a challenge that has plagued the Authority for nearly a decade and the gradual deterioration of its Point-of-Sale channel, which serves as the backbone of the 5/90 lottery game distributed nationwide through Lotto Marketing Companies (LMCs).

According to him, the Authority has relied for too long on ageing 2G connectivity and outdated keypad terminals while the retail and financial sectors have embraced more advanced technologies.

Mr. Abdul-Salam commended LMCs for their resilience and loyalty in sustaining lottery operations under difficult conditions, saying the new investment represents the Authority’s commitment to rewarding their dedication.

He explained that the agreement is the culmination of nearly a year of technical assessments, commercial negotiations, risk reviews, and strategic planning undertaken with Fidelity Bank and its partners to ensure the long-term sustainability of the lottery industry.

He noted that the partnership would replace obsolete terminals with current-generation Android-based POS devices supported by reliable network infrastructure, significantly improving transaction speed and operational efficiency.

The Director-General said one of the most significant innovations under the partnership is the increase in instant prize payouts through the POS channel from the current ceiling of GH₵1,200 to GH₵30,000.

He stressed that the increase is far more than a routine adjustment, explaining that the previous payout limit reflected a system designed only for small winnings, while the new threshold positions the retail lottery channel to attract higher-value players and restore confidence among customers.

Mr. Abdul-Salam further announced that winners of larger prizes would have the option of receiving immediate payment through Fidelity Bank under a discounting arrangement.

Under the arrangement, qualifying winners can receive the full value of their winnings instantly from the bank at the point of sale, while the NLA reimburses Fidelity Bank over an agreed period, ensuring prompt customer service without disrupting the Authority’s cash flow.

He observed that the Authority could not rely solely on regulation to compete with the expanding informal lottery market but must instead provide superior technology, faster networks, reliable terminals, and improved customer value.

According to him, the partnership equips the Authority with the tools needed to regain market share based on innovation and service quality rather than regulatory authority alone.

Mr. Abdul-Salam expressed appreciation to Fidelity Bank, its technology partners, and the Authority’s technical, legal, and commercial teams for their efforts in bringing the agreement to fruition.

He also thanked LMCs, saying the investment was ultimately designed to benefit agents and the millions of players they serve across the country.

The Deputy Managing Director in charge of Wholesale Banking at Fidelity Bank Ghana, Kwabena Boateng, said the collaboration was initiated several months ago after discussions on how the bank could best support the NLA.

He explained that the partnership focuses on delivering value across the lottery value chain, including improving customer experience, strengthening network connectivity, modernising POS infrastructure, and enhancing revenue collection.

Mr. Boateng noted that poor network connectivity had often prevented customers from staking lotto, leading to delays, lost sales, and frustration among players and agents.

He added that LMCs also faced operational challenges with existing POS devices, while inefficiencies in collections affected the Authority’s ability to maximise revenue.

According to him, Fidelity Bank responded by proposing a comprehensive technological solution that goes beyond payment collection to enhance the entire lottery operating platform.

He said the bank leveraged its experience in providing similar digital solutions across various sectors and worked closely with technology partners and the NLA to develop a system tailored to the Authority’s operational needs.

Mr. Boateng expressed confidence that the partnership would significantly improve efficiency, increase revenue mobilisation, enhance customer satisfaction, and position the NLA to achieve its growth ambitions while contributing to Ghana’s economic development.