MTN Ghana has held its 2026 Media and Stakeholder Forum in Accra under the theme, “MTN Ghana @30: Connecting Ghana, Shaping the Digital Future,” using the event to highlight its business performance and long-term plans for the country’s digital transformation.
The annual forum brought together media practitioners, regulators, partners and other stakeholders to engage with MTN Ghana’s leadership on the company’s direction, performance and future investments as it marks 30 years of operations in Ghana.
Speaking at the forum , the Chief Executive Officer Stephen Blewett said Ghana remains one of MTN’s most important markets, noting that the company sees strong long-term potential in the country despite global economic pressures and shifting industry demands.
Strong confidence in Ghana
According to him, MTN Ghana’s recent performance reflects a combination of disciplined investment, strong leadership, and the commitment of employees across the business.
He said the company has recorded continued growth in data usage, digital services, and subscriber numbers, driven largely by the increasing shift toward mobile internet, digital lifestyles, and enterprise connectivity.
Mr Blewett added that one of the strongest growth areas for the business is digital services, particularly among younger users who are increasingly consuming entertainment, financial services, and online content through their mobile phones.
Digital services gaining momentum
He noted that mobile gaming is emerging as a significant opportunity in Ghana as smartphone penetration rises and more young people turn to online platforms for both communication and entertainment.
He said MTN Ghana aims to play a leading role not only in providing connectivity for such services but also in supporting local developers who are creating digital products and gaming content within Ghana.
US$1bn network expansion
To meet future demand, Mr Blewett announced that MTN Ghana will invest US$1 billion over the next three years to expand and modernise its infrastructure across the country.
He said the investment will be directed toward network expansion, cybersecurity systems, digital platforms, renewable energy projects, and enhanced customer service systems.
“We are not building for current conditions alone. We are investing for what Ghana will look like in the next three to five years,” he said.
800 new cell sites planned
Mr Blewett stressed that maintaining network quality remains a key priority as customer expectations continue to rise.
He disclosed that MTN Ghana plans to deploy more than 800 new cell sites in 2026, a significant increase from previous years, to improve network coverage and capacity nationwide.
According to him, the additional sites will help ease congestion in densely populated urban centres while extending service to fast-growing peri-urban communities where demand for data continues to rise.
Commitment beyond connectivity
Beyond connectivity, he said MTN Ghana remains focused on its broader role as a corporate citizen, supporting economic growth, small businesses, and national digital inclusion.
He said the company’s vision is to remain a “force for good” by helping government, businesses, and communities benefit from technology.
Mr Blewett added that as MTN Ghana enters its fourth decade in the country, it intends to remain at the centre of Ghana’s digital future through sustained investment and innovation.
Commitment to national development
MTN Ghana reiterated its commitment to supporting the country’s broader development agenda, adding that its long-term strategy is anchored in sustained investment and innovation as it enters its fourth decade of operations.
Digital services gaining momentum
During a panel discussion, MTN Ghana Chief Digital Officer Ibrahim Misto noted that customer demand for digital services continues to grow steadily.
He said services such as gaming, video streaming, and digital security are becoming increasingly popular among subscribers.
According to him, gaming is one of the fastest-growing digital segments for the company, while video streaming remains the largest contributor to digital service revenue.
Mr Misto added that this growth is significantly driving higher data consumption across the network.
AI and cloud expansion
Mr Misto said artificial intelligence is becoming an increasingly important part of MTN Ghana’s operations.
He explained that the company is using AI to improve employee productivity, personalise customer experiences, and strengthen network planning.
He also noted that cloud infrastructure will play a key role in enabling businesses to host data locally and support Ghana’s growing digital economy.
According to him, reliable power supply and affordable smart devices remain critical to accelerating digital adoption in the country.
Network reliability remains a priority
The Head of Network Operations at MTN Ghana, Magnus Cofie, said the company’s connectivity strategy is anchored on three key pillars: coverage, capacity, and reliability.
He explained that beyond expanding network reach, MTN Ghana is focused on ensuring sufficient capacity to support rising data demand and building a resilient network capable of sustaining uninterrupted service.
Mr Cofie said the planned 800 new sites are intended to close connectivity gaps in rural and underserved communities, while existing sites will also be upgraded to improve performance in high-demand areas.
He noted that the company is investing in additional transmission routes from the middle belt to northern Ghana and from Accra to the Western Region to reduce the impact of frequent fibre cuts.
According to him, MTN Ghana is also working closely with authorities to protect fibre infrastructure and improve overall network resilience.
He added that the company is partnering with global technology providers to bring digital content closer to users in Ghana, helping to improve speed and performance for customers who consume large volumes of data.
Mobile Money targets deeper inclusion
The Chief Product and Services Officer of MobileMoney Fintech LTD (MMFL), Sylvia Otuo Acheampong, said the company is now focused on deepening financial inclusion through the expansion of mobile money services.
She explained that mobile money started as a simple payment product but has evolved into a broader financial platform supporting individuals, businesses, and fintech partners.
According to her, the next phase of growth will focus on increasing active wallet usage and encouraging customers to use mobile money beyond basic transfers.
“We want customers not only to register, but to actively use the wallet for their everyday needs,” she said.
Ms Acheampong said the company is working to expand services into lending, insurance, and merchant payments to make the mobile wallet more useful to customers.
She noted that collaboration with banks, fintech companies, and regulators will be essential in building a stronger digital payments ecosystem in Ghana.
Focus on digital payment ecosystem
She said one of the company’s priorities is reducing reliance on cash by creating more digital payment channels across sectors, including healthcare, retail, and pharmaceuticals.
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According to her, many customers still cash out funds before making purchases, and the goal is to create more opportunities for them to keep money within the digital ecosystem.
Ms Acheampong added that MobileMoney Fintech is investing in customer education and fraud prevention to strengthen trust in digital financial services.
She said artificial intelligence and closer collaboration with security agencies are helping the company detect suspicious transactions earlier and better protect customers.
She further noted that public awareness campaigns are being intensified to help customers safeguard their wallets from fraud.
Source: Isaac Kofi Dzokpo
