MTN Ghana has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding digital connectivity and supporting economic growth in Northern Ghana as part of a major three-year investment programme valued at US$1.1 billion.
The investment, which includes approximately US$380 million in 2026, is aimed at enhancing network capacity, improving service quality and strengthening the resilience of the telecommunications company’s infrastructure across the country.
The commitment was announced at a Regional Media and Stakeholder Forum held in Tamale, which brought together media practitioners and stakeholders from the Northern, Savannah, Upper East and North East regions.
The forum formed part of activities marking 30 years of MTN Ghana’s operations in the country and provided an opportunity for the company to engage stakeholders on developments in the telecommunications industry and its contribution to Ghana’s digital transformation.
Addressing participants, the Senior Manager in charge of Network Projects Implementation at MTN Ghana, Emmanuel Afutu, expressed appreciation to the media and stakeholders for their partnership and support over the past three decades.
He said the transformation of telecommunications in Ghana over the period had been remarkable, with mobile connectivity evolving from a luxury into an essential tool for everyday life.
“Thirty years ago, a mobile phone was a luxury. A signal was a miracle. Today, connectivity has become an essential part of everyday life, enabling people to access information, transfer money, grow businesses and connect with opportunities,” he said.
New network sites
Mr Afutu disclosed that MTN Ghana was deploying 500 new network sites nationwide, with new installations expected to further improve connectivity in the Northern, Savannah, Upper East and North East regions.
He explained that the investment formed part of the company’s broader strategy to ensure that customers, businesses and communities benefited from reliable and resilient telecommunications services.
According to him, MTN Ghana currently serves more than 32 million subscribers and continues to invest substantially in network infrastructure and customer experience.
“We believe that the true value of connectivity is measured not only by the sites we build or the technology we deploy, but by the opportunities it creates and the lives it touches,” he added.
Mr Afutu said the company’s expansion programme was particularly important as digital services increasingly became central to commerce, education, financial transactions, entrepreneurship and access to information.
Strong financial performance
The forum also highlighted MTN Ghana’s strong financial performance during the first half of 2026.
Mr Afutu said service revenue grew by 32.3 per cent to GH¢15 billion, while earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) increased by 47.1 per cent to GH¢9.3 billion.
Profit after tax also rose by 46.8 per cent to GH¢5.1 billion, reflecting what he described as the resilience of the business and the strength of its strategy.
He further disclosed that MTN Ghana contributed GH¢5.6 billion in direct and indirect taxes and GH¢384.7 million in fees and levies during the first half of the year.
He said the figures demonstrated the company’s contribution not only to Ghana’s telecommunications sector but also to national revenue mobilisation and socio-economic development.
Driving digital inclusion
As part of its 30th anniversary celebrations under the theme, “30 Years of Progress, Powered by You,” MTN Ghana said it remained focused on expanding connectivity, promoting digital inclusion and creating shared value for its customers, communities and the country.
The company said continued investment in network infrastructure, innovation and sustainable growth would remain central to its efforts to support Ghana’s digital transformation.
The company also stressed the importance of collaboration with the media and other stakeholders in ensuring that the benefits of digital technology reached communities across the country.
The forum in Tamale therefore served as both a reflection on MTN Ghana’s three decades of operations and an indication of its plans to deepen connectivity and digital opportunities in the northern parts of Ghana.
MTN Ghana, which operates under Scancom PLC and is listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange, is part of the MTN Group, a multinational telecommunications group operating across emerging markets.
