MTN Ghana is intensifying its investment in digital skills development as part of a broader strategy to prepare the country for an AI-driven future. This commitment was reaffirmed by Chief Digital Officer Ibrahim Misto during an exclusive interview at the Africa Tech Festival 2025 in Cape Town, where he outlined the transformative impact of the company’s One Million Coders initiative and other capacity-building projects.
Misto emphasized that the future of Africa’s digital economy will be determined not only by infrastructure or technology adoption, but by the depth of talent capable of building and sustaining advanced digital solutions. He said MTN Ghana is prioritizing the development of a skilled, future-ready workforce that can compete on the global stage.
“Our goal is to ensure Ghanaian talent is ready to build and compete,” Misto stated. “AI and digital transformation require skilled people, and we are committed to helping develop that talent at scale.”
One Million Coders: Building the Workforce of Tomorrow
At the heart of MTN Ghana’s talent strategy is the One Million Coders Programme, an ambitious initiative designed to train young Ghanaians in coding, software development, artificial intelligence, data science, cybersecurity, and other emerging technologies. The programme is opening doors for students, jobseekers, and professionals by equipping them with high-demand digital skills that align with global industry trends.
Misto noted that this initiative is not only about creating employment opportunities but also about empowering young innovators to build African solutions for African challenges. He said MTN is determined to ensure that Ghana does not merely consume global technologies but actively contributes to shaping them.
Innovation Hubs and Startup Support
Besides training young coders, MTN Ghana is strengthening its investment in digital research and innovation through platforms such as the Technology Innovation Hub. These hubs serve as incubation spaces for young entrepreneurs and startups to experiment, collaborate, and bring new digital ideas to life.
Misto revealed that MTN is expanding support systems for early-stage startups by offering mentorship programs, access to digital tools, cloud services, and opportunities to test and scale new products within MTN’s vast customer network.
“We want to help startups grow faster by giving them the ecosystem they need — mentorship, technology, and access to markets,” he said.
Driving Inclusive Digital Transformation
According to Misto, MTN Ghana’s talent-development initiatives are part of a broader mission to democratize digital access and make technology more inclusive. He stressed that AI and digital services must be accessible across all communities, not just in urban centers.
This agenda includes rolling out AI-powered solutions tailored to local languages, cultures, and business environments. “We want AI created in Africa, by Africans, for Africans,” Misto emphasized, adding that local relevance and inclusion remain top priorities for MTN’s innovation roadmap.
Energy Challenges Remain the Biggest Threat
While acknowledging the major strides being made, Misto cautioned that Africa’s digital and AI ambitions face a significant threat: unstable and costly energy. He reiterated that data centres, cloud systems, and AI technologies all rely heavily on consistent power supply.
“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 warned, calling for closer collaboration between government and private industry.
Africa Tech Festival 2025: A Celebration of Progress
The Africa Tech Festival — now in its 28th edition — brought together more than 15,000 delegates, 300 exhibitors, and 450 speakers, showcasing Africa’s progress in AI, fintech, cloud technology, and digital innovation. Ghana’s strong showing at the event underscored its growing influence in shaping the continent’s digital transformation.
As MTN Ghana continues to invest in training, innovation, and digital infrastructure, Misto believes the company is helping build the next generation of African technologists and innovators. He concluded that Africa’s digital future will be defined by the strength of its people, and MTN Ghana remains committed to empowering them with the skills needed to lead the continent into a new era of AI-powered development.
