MTN Ghana has revealed plans to spend $1.1 billion over the next three years as part of its 30th anniversary activities, targeting network expansion, 5G rollout and stronger digital and fintech offerings.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MTN Ghana, Mr Stephen Blewett, said the anniversary marks more than just infrastructure growth, highlighting the company’s role in shaping the lives of Ghanaians over 30 years.
“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 event in Accra, Mr Blewett said MTN has grown with Ghana’s digital evolution and now plays a central part in daily life and business.
He admitted that building and maintaining a strong telecom network is costly, since most infrastructure spending is in dollars while income comes mainly in cedis.
“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 revealed that MTN intends to invest around $380 million in 2026 alone, which includes putting up about 800 new network sites to boost coverage and service quality across the country.
He said the next growth phase will rely on technologies like 5G and artificial intelligence, which are set to reshape 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 use 5G to broaden access to advanced digital tools, including AI-powered apps, while advancing digital inclusion nationwide.
On fintech, Mr Blewett said mobile money will go beyond basic transfers to cover loans, savings, and insurance, helping to deepen financial inclusion.
He also pointed to MTN’s focus on sustainability through solar energy, green infrastructure, and eco-friendly operations.
Meanwhile, the Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, praised MTN for its contribution to Ghana’s telecom sector, calling its 30-year journey part of the country’s wider digital progress.
He noted that Ghana’s telecom industry has grown from a small fixed-line system in the 1990s to a data-driven market with over 40 million subscriptions, backed by both state policy and private investment.
The Minister added that MTN’s dominant position comes with higher responsibility, especially around service quality, pricing clarity, and network reliability.
He said government will keep holding the company to stricter regulatory standards, particularly on issues like call drops, coverage gaps, and customer support.
Mr George also urged closer cooperation between government, regulators, and industry to tackle infrastructure security, cybersecurity, rural access and digital skills training.
Looking ahead, he said Ghana was aiming for broad 5G rollout, with a target of covering up to 70 per cent of the population by the country’s 100th anniversary.
He assured that government will maintain a supportive policy and regulatory climate to attract investment and spur digital innovation.
Both MTN and government officials agreed that 5G, AI, cloud computing, and wider digital services will define the next stage of Ghana’s telecom growth. As part of the anniversary events, MTN said it will run promotions and give out prizes to customers from June to December 2026 to thank them for their loyalty.
