MTN Ghana has announced plans to invest $1.1 billion over the next three years as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations, with a focus on expanding network capacity, rolling out 5G technology, and strengthening digital and fintech services.
The Chief Executive Officer of MTN Ghana, Mr Stephen Blewett, said the milestone was not only about infrastructure expansion but also about the company’s impact on the lives of Ghanaians over the past three decades.
“Over the years, we have moved from voice to SMS, to data, to mobile money, fundamentally changing how people live and transact. This celebration is about our customers and the role we have played in Ghana’s development,” he said.
Speaking at the launch of the anniversary celebrations in Accra, Mr Blewett noted that MTN had evolved alongside Ghana’s digital transformation, becoming an integral part of everyday life and economic activity.
He acknowledged that expanding and maintaining a robust telecommunications network remained a major challenge due to the high cost of largely dollar-denominated infrastructure investments, while revenue is generated mainly in local currency.
“You have to keep investing in both good and difficult times to improve network quality, expand coverage and ensure reliable mobile money services,” he stated.
Mr Blewett disclosed that MTN plans to invest about $380 million in 2026 alone, including the deployment of approximately 800 new network sites to improve connectivity and service quality nationwide.
He explained that the next phase of growth would be driven by emerging technologies such as fifth-generation (5G) networks and artificial intelligence (AI), which are expected to transform digital services.
“The future is not just about 4G or 5G as technologies, but what they enable. We are moving into an AI-driven world where digital services will become more integrated and intuitive,” he added.
According to him, MTN will leverage 5G technology to expand access to advanced digital solutions, including AI-powered applications, while promoting broader digital inclusion across the country.
On fintech, Mr Blewett said mobile money services would continue to evolve beyond basic transfers to include loans, savings, and insurance products, further deepening financial inclusion.
He also highlighted the company’s commitment to sustainability through investments in solar energy, green infrastructure, and environmentally responsible operations.
Meanwhile, the Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, commended MTN for its contribution to Ghana’s telecommunications sector, describing its 30-year journey as part of the country’s broader digital transformation.
He noted that Ghana’s telecom industry had grown from limited fixed-line services in the 1990s to a data-driven ecosystem with more than 40 million subscriptions, supported by both government policy and private sector investment.
The Minister, however, stressed that MTN’s market dominance came with greater responsibility, particularly in improving service quality, pricing transparency, and network reliability.
He said the government would continue to hold the company to higher regulatory standards, especially in addressing concerns such as dropped calls, coverage gaps, and customer service challenges.
Mr George also called for stronger collaboration among government, regulators, and industry players to address infrastructure protection, cybersecurity, rural connectivity, and digital skills development.
Looking ahead, he said Ghana aims to achieve widespread 5G deployment, targeting up to 70 per cent population coverage by the country’s centenary celebrations.
He assured that the government would continue to provide a conducive policy and regulatory environment to attract investment and drive digital innovation.
Both MTN and government officials agreed that the next phase of Ghana’s telecommunications growth would be shaped by 5G, AI, cloud computing, and the expansion of digital services across sectors.
As part of the anniversary celebrations, MTN announced plans to reward customers with promotions and prizes from June to December 2026, in appreciation of their loyalty over the years.