MTN Ghana has set in motion an ambitious plan to take a commanding role in Africa’s artificial intelligence (AI) revolution, unveiling a comprehensive strategy designed to accelerate national innovation, build local capacity, and close the continent’s widening digital divide. The company’s Chief Digital Officer, Ibrahim Misto, outlined the vision during the 2025 Africa Tech Festival, where industry leaders gathered to discuss the future of technology across Africa.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Misto emphasized that the next phase of global innovation would be driven by AI, and Ghana cannot afford to lag behind. With digital transformation accelerating worldwide, he stressed that proactive measures are needed to ensure the country becomes a creator—not just a consumer—of intelligent technologies.
“Africa must develop its own intelligence. The longer we wait, the wider the AI gap becomes,” Misto warned, underscoring the urgent need for African-built, African-trained AI systems that reflect the continent’s unique languages, cultures, and economic realities.
At the heart of MTN Ghana’s strategy is a push for African ownership of AI tools and solutions. Misto explained that emerging technologies must reflect local contexts if they are to deliver meaningful impact. He argued that AI models that understand African societies, dialects, and business ecosystems must be built on the continent itself. “AI that understands us must come from us,” he said. “That’s the path to real digital independence.”
To drive this agenda, MTN Ghana is investing heavily in talent development, with an expanded portfolio of training and mentorship programs intended to equip the next generation of Ghanaian innovators. Key initiatives include the Technology Innovation Hub and the One Million Coders programme, both tailored to provide young people with advanced skills in AI engineering, machine learning, data science, software development, and digital product design.
Misto highlighted that the strength of Ghana’s digital future lies in its human capital. By empowering local talent to compete on a global scale, he believes the nation can position itself as a leading hub for AI solutions in Africa. “The goal is to prepare a generation capable of creating world-class solutions,” he said.
The company is also strengthening its partnership with local startups, offering them access to digital infrastructure, mentorship, and commercial pathways to scale their innovations. Misto described startups as critical drivers of Ghana’s digital acceleration, bringing the agility and creativity needed to solve complex challenges that large organizations may be too slow to address.
As part of its transformation, MTN Ghana is evolving from a traditional telecommunications provider into a broad digital powerhouse. New offerings expected to roll out soon include smart home automation tools, advanced digital security services, next-generation entertainment platforms, and AI-powered business solutions. MTN believes this shift is essential as Ghanaian households and businesses increasingly rely on intelligent digital tools to support daily activities and operations.
However, despite the country’s growing momentum, Misto also addressed one of Africa’s biggest threats to its technological aspirations: the persistent energy crisis. He warned that AI development—particularly the heavy computational demands of modern data centres—cannot thrive on unstable or expensive electricity. “The cost of intelligence depends on the cost of energy. We cannot power data centres on unstable grids,” he stated. He called on government, industry players, and energy sector leaders to work together to stabilize power supply and make energy more affordable for digital infrastructure.
The 2025 Africa Tech Festival itself was one of the largest gatherings of tech leaders on the continent, hosting more than 15,000 participants from across Africa and beyond. Sessions focused on AI, cloud computing, digital finance, connectivity, and policy reforms needed to drive inclusive digital development. MTN Ghana’s strong presence at the event signaled its commitment to shaping the continent’s technology agenda.
Looking ahead, Misto expressed confidence that Ghana has all the ingredients needed to become a digital leader in West Africa and the continent at large. With ongoing investment, skilled local talent, and a strong ecosystem of innovators, he believes the country is on the cusp of a technological breakthrough.
“Ghana has the ambition, the talent, and the momentum,” he said. “Now we have to build it together.”
Through its aggressive AI vision, MTN Ghana is positioning itself not just as a telecommunications giant, but as a transformative force in shaping Africa’s AI-driven future.
