MTN Ghana Signs Landmark MoU with Thrive & Shine to Drive AI and STEM Skills Development
MTN Ghana has taken a significant step towards expanding digital opportunities for young people by signing a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with youth-led non-profit organisation, Thrive & Shine, to accelerate Artificial Intelligence (AI) literacy, strengthen STEM education, and empower Ghanaian youth for the future digital economy.
The strategic partnership represents a major milestone in MTN Ghana’s commitment to ensuring that young people are not left behind as Artificial Intelligence continues to transform industries and economies globally. Through this collaboration, students and young professionals will be equipped with critical technical skills, problem-solving capabilities, and market-ready exposure needed to thrive in an increasingly technology-driven world.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Ibrahim Misto, Chief Digital Officer of MTN Ghana, said the partnership aligns with the company’s long-term vision of nurturing future-ready digital talent and building a resilient digital workforce for Ghana.
“This is not a short-term project; it is a journey,” Mr. Misto stated. “That is why we have formalised this partnership through an MoU. Our goal is to co-create solutions to real-world problems and support organisations like Thrive & Shine that are empowering young people with the skills and knowledge needed to contribute meaningfully to the digital economy.”
Under the partnership, MTN Ghana will provide structured mentorship, internship placements, and learning opportunities that enable participants to apply theoretical knowledge to practical, real-world use cases. The initiative is designed to foster innovation, creativity, and employability while creating pathways for young people to actively participate in Ghana’s digital transformation agenda.
Co-Founder of Thrive & Shine, Yvonne Dumor, described the collaboration as a defining moment for the organisation and a major boost to its mission of closing the digital opportunity gap.
“At Thrive & Shine, we believe that talent is universal, but opportunity is not,” she said. “Everything we do is driven by one core question: how do we bring opportunity closer to the people around us? This partnership with MTN Ghana moves us a step closer to closing the digital gap for students and young people striving to compete in the global AI space. We do not want to only consume AI solutions; we want to be among the global players shaping them.”
For beneficiaries, the impact of the initiative is already evident. Michael Darko, a Computer Science student at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), shared how the programme has transformed his academic and professional journey.
“Before this opportunity, financial constraints made it difficult for me to fully focus on my studies and commit to projects,” he explained. “Through the scholarship and support from Thrive & Shine, I can now concentrate on my studies and build real-world projects that will prepare me for the future.”
The MTN Ghana–Thrive & Shine partnership forms part of MTN Ghana’s broader ambition to champion digital inclusion, bridge the digital divide, and empower young people with relevant skills to unlock sustainable economic opportunities in an AI-driven era.
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Media Contacts
Adwoa Wiafe
Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer
Email: MTNGhana.MediaOffice@mtn.com
Efua Falconer
Acting Senior Manager, Corporate Communications
Email: MTNGhana.MediaOffice@mtn.com
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