MTN Ghana Pushes Massive AI and Digital Transformation Strategy

MTN Ghana Unveils Bold Strategy to Accelerate AI Adoption and Digital Innovation Across Africa

MTN Ghana is positioning itself at the centre of Africa’s emerging AI revolution, with the company outlining sweeping plans to expand digital infrastructure, strengthen local talent, and support homegrown innovation. The company’s Chief Digital Officer, Ibrahim Misto, revealed the roadmap in an exclusive interview at the Africa Tech Festival 2025 in Cape Town.

According to Misto, MTN’s strategy—rooted in collaboration, skills development and technology investment—is designed to ensure Ghana becomes a major player in Africa’s rapidly evolving digital space. He stressed that the continent must not remain a consumer of global technology but must build its own competitive intelligence.

“Africa cannot afford to lag behind in the global AI race. No single organisation can drive digital transformation alone. Policymakers, startups and private-sector partners must work together,” he said. Misto also warned that Africa risks widening its digital divide if it does not urgently invest in energy, digital infrastructure and skilled talent.

Building African AI for African Needs

Misto emphasized MTN Ghana’s commitment to developing locally relevant AI tools crafted to support African languages, businesses and communities.
“We want AI created in Africa, by Africans, for Africans. That is our focus,” he noted, reinforcing MTN’s shift from traditional telecommunications into a technology-driven digital service provider.

Empowering Young Innovators and Strengthening Startups

Central to MTN Ghana’s digital transformation agenda are its flagship talent-development programmes, including the Technology Innovation Hub and the One Million Coders Programme. These initiatives aim to build a future-ready workforce that can compete globally.

“Our goal is to ensure Ghanaian talent is ready to build and compete,” Misto stressed. In addition to talent development, MTN continues to support startups with access to digital tools, mentorship and markets to help local ideas scale successfully.

Expanding Digital Solutions for Homes and Businesses

MTN Ghana is broadening its portfolio with a suite of digital products, including smart-home technologies, security systems, entertainment and streaming platforms, and productivity tools powered by AI.

However, Misto highlighted that all these advancements depend on one critical factor—reliable energy.

“The cost of intelligence is tied to the cost of energy. We can build data centres, but governments must fix energy. Partnership is the only way forward,” he said, calling for stronger public-private cooperation to support the continent’s digital future.

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Africa Tech Festival 2025 Highlights

The 28th edition of the Africa Tech Festival attracted more than 15,000 participants, 300 exhibitors, and 450 speakers, reinforcing its status as one of the continent’s most influential technology gatherings.