As telecom giant MTN Ghana celebrates three decades of operations in the country, the leading network operator has reaffirmed its commitment to national development by pledging a massive $1.1 billion capital investment over the next three years.
Speaking at the MTN Media and Stakeholders Forum in Kumasi, Chief Enterprise Business Officer (CEB) Angela Mensah-Poku announced that $380 million will be deployed in 2026 alone.
The investment forms part of MTN’s broader initiative to strengthen its network, prepare for widespread 5G rollout, expand fintech capabilities, and drive digital transformation nationwide.
Background:
MTN Ghana’s story began in 1996 under the brand name SpaceFon (later Scancom), introducing mobile cellular services to a market that relied almost entirely on fixed landlines.
Over the past 30 years, the operator has undergone multiple brand evolutions—from SpaceFon to Areeba, and eventually MTN in 2007.
Today, MTN has transformed from a traditional voice and SMS service provider into Ghana’s dominant digital, data, and mobile financial services platform, commanding over 60% of the mobile voice and data market share.
Through its Mobile Money (MoMo) platform, MTN played a central role in driving financial inclusion across Ghana, turning millions of unbanked citizens into active participants in the digital economy.
Beyond infrastructure, MTN remains one of Ghana’s largest tax contributors and employers:
Tax Contributions:
Generates approximately 6% of Ghana’s total tax revenue.
Economic Impact:
Drives thousands of direct and indirect jobs via local vendors, MoMo agents, and technical partners.
Q1 Performance:
Recorded robust growth driven by surge demand in data usage, enterprise digital solutions, and mobile financial services.
2026 Infrastructure & Network:
Under the anniversary theme “30 Years of Progress – Powered by You,” MTN’s immediate investment rollout includes concrete target goals aimed at tackling coverage gaps and increasing data capacity.
Network Densification:
Construction of approximately 800 new cell sites across the nation in 2026.
5G Readiness:
Upgrading core network architecture to transition from trial phases into commercial 5G deployments.
Fintech & Enterprise Systems:
Expanding MoMo infrastructure and enterprise solutions to support micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Community Support:
Mrs. Mensah-Poku paid special tribute to the media in the Ashanti Region, acknowledging their role as a critical bridge between the operator and the public throughout MTN’s 30-year journey.
“The media in Ashanti have told the MTN story,” Mrs. Mensah-Poku stated. “From our first call in 1996 to today’s 5G trials, you have been our voice in communities, holding us accountable and helping us connect with the people we serve.”
She emphasized that stakeholder feedback from regulators, customers, media partners, and local businesses remains the cornerstone of MTN’s long-term operations.
Focus on Sustainability:
Beyond core telecommunications, MTN Ghana is aligning its $1.1 billion allocation with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) commitments to foster inclusive growth:
Environmental Responsibility: Transitioning network sites to clean, renewable energy sources to significantly cut the company’s carbon footprint.
Youth Empowerment & Digital Skills:
Funding training initiatives aimed at equipping Ghanaian youth with practical tech and coding skills.
SME & Community Support: Leveraging technology to address national challenges across healthcare, education, and social finance.
“This investment is about building the Ghana we all want—a digitally connected, inclusive, and resilient economy,” Mrs. Mensah-Poku concluded.
The forum in Kumasi is part of an ongoing nationwide stakeholder tour as MTN rolls out its 30th-anniversary activities across all regions of Ghana.
Story By Michael Ofosu-Afriyie,
Kumasi.
