Industry News

A state-of-the-art ICT laboratory has been launched at Tingi Secondary School in Nyasa District, Ruvuma Region, with Helios Towers supporting the facility with 30m/- worth of equipment through its corporate social responsibility programme.

The 26-computer laboratory, officially unveiled today (February 27, 2026), is expected to enhance digital learning and equip students with practical ICT skills essential for today’s technology-driven world.

Speaking at the launching of the ICT lab, Helios Towers’ Director of Supply Chain, Baraka Andrew mentioned the donated equipment as 26 computers, a projector, maintenance tools, a whiteboard, a smart TV and the necessary laboratory infrastructure

According to the director, Helios Towers implemented the project in partnership with Camara Education Tanzania, which served as the project supervisor and executor, working closely with the school leadership and district education authorities.

The laboratory is expected to benefit more than 360 students by providing hands-on ICT learning opportunities, enhancing their technological skills and preparing them for employment and participation in the digital economy.

He added that the initiative forms part of Helios Towers Tanzania’s broader community investment programme, supporting government efforts and education stakeholders in improving the quality of education and promoting digital development among the younger generation.

“Helios Towers has recognized the great importance of participating in preparing young people to enter the digital economy, an area that President Samia is also strongly emphasizing to ensure Tanzania reaches a higher level in line with the fast pace of global development,” he explained.

On the other hand, Technical Director of Camara Education and Country Manager at Camara Education Tanzania, Dayani Mbowe said the donated computers have been installed with various systems, including examination materials, textbooks, and notes to enable students to study independently.

“The systems installed at the school and the training provided to both students and teachers have been aligned with the requirements of the newly improved education curriculum, with the aim of equipping Tingi Secondary School students with the knowledge and skills needed in the job market,” Mbowe said.

On his part, Nyasa District Education Officer thanked Helios Towers for sponsoring the project and Camara Education for successfully installing and uploading relevant digital content to enable students to easily access textbooks and learning materials online.

“The world today is increasingly driven by the use of ICT in almost every aspect of life. Therefore, these students will benefit not only academically but will also acquire skills that will enable them to start their own income-generating activities, including stationery businesses, after completing various levels of education,” the education officer noted.

Source : www.dailynews.co.tz

The Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has announced that government is developing a new Data Protection Bill to strengthen Ghana’s legal framework in response to artificial intelligence, automated decision-making and cross-border data flows.

Speaking at the Data Protection Conference 2026 in Accra, Mr. George said Ghana must move beyond expanding digital services and focus on building a deliberate and resilient digital architecture anchored on trust.

He noted that work is underway to reform legislative and institutional frameworks for data protection, with the objective of strengthening enforcement, clarifying international data transfer rules and enhancing citizens’ rights.

The Minister stressed that compliance with the Data Protection Act is both a legal obligation and a moral duty, warning that organisations that have not registered with the Data Protection Commission must do so without delay.

He disclosed that government will soon issue a policy directive to the Commission to ensure strict compliance and impose fines on institutions that fail to adhere to the law.

Mr. George also revealed that Ghana is advancing a data harmonisation initiative to reduce fragmentation and align standards across financial services, telecommunications and the public sector.

According to him, strong data protection should not be seen as a barrier to innovation but rather as a competitive advantage as Ghana positions itself as a regional hub for fintech and digital services.

Source : www.gbcghanaonline.com

The government has announced the commencement of processes for a nationwide SIM card re-registration exercise, following Cabinet deliberations.

The announcement was made by the Minister for Communication, Innovations, and Digital Technologies, Samuel Nartey George, during a keynote address at the 2026 Data Protection Commission Conference.

According to the minister, the upcoming SIM re-registration will be structured to ensure customer convenience, with measures aimed at preventing long queues and disruptions, while strengthening data integrity and national security within the telecommunications sector.

“The failure in the last SIM card registration has left us with a difficult but necessary decision. After extensive cabinet deliberation, we are announcing the beginning of the process for a new SIM card registration exercise across the whole country.

“This exercise will be the first in our history to have live verification against the NIA’s database and provide biometric verification for every registration. Let me state this up front. The upcoming SIM card registration exercise will prioritize customer’s comfort. We are putting in place measures, working with the Chamber of Telecoms, to avoid long queues, including self-service portals and a seamless process for completing the registration,” he said.

Samuel Nartey George added that the exercise will not be constrained by strict deadlines and assured that all data collected will be fully protected in line with existing data protection regulations.

“You won’t have the queues. You won’t have the deadlines that were unreachable in the past experience. We are going to make sure that the citizen is placed at the front of this registration.

“The regulator, the National Communications Authority is engaging stakeholders on the rollout. The Data Protection Commission must be central to ensuring that even as biometric data is collected and processed, it is done with the principal consideration of protecting the customer. Trust must be elevated above all other considerations,” the minister remarked.

Source : www.citinewsroom.com

Telecommunications giant Scancom PLC (MTN Ghana) has cemented its market leadership with a stellar 2025 fiscal report, announcing a 55.9 per cent leap in profit after tax to GH¢7.8 billion. 

The results, underpinned by an aggressive expansion in data and financial services, come at a time when a stabilising macroeconomic climate has re-energised consumer spending across the country.

The company’s service revenue surged by 36.2 per cent, reaching a staggering GH¢24.4 billion. This growth was propelled by a near-tripling of digital revenue and robust gains in the mobile money and data sectors, reflecting Ghana’s rapidly maturing digital economy.

In a move that will delight investors, the Board of Directors has recommended a final dividend of GH¢0.40 per share. This represents a significant increase from the GH¢0.24 paid out the previous year, signaling deep confidence in the company’s liquidity and future growth path.

Pending shareholder approval at the next Annual General Meeting, the dividend is slated for distribution on 10 April 2026.

In his review of the year, MTN Ghana CEO Stephen Blewett attributed the financial windfall to a combination of heavy infrastructure spending and a friendly economic backdrop.

“MTN Ghana reported a strong operational and financial performance for 2025, driven by the significant investment in our network and targeted commercial initiatives that have enhanced the customer experience,” Blewett remarked.

He further observed that the broader economic recovery played a crucial role: “These results were achieved in a favourable macroeconomic climate, with subsiding inflation and a strengthened local currency boosting consumer purchasing power.

To sustain this growth, MTN Ghana committed GH¢6.4 billion in capital expenditure during the year. This investment was primarily directed at bolstering 4G coverage and improving overall service quality to support a burgeoning subscriber base. Total mobile subscribers now stand at 31.2 million, with active data users jumping to 19.9 million.

As the company transitions out of its “Ambition 2025” strategic cycle, the leadership team remains bullish on the medium-term horizon. The company has maintained its guidance for service revenue growth in the “mid-to-upper thirties” per cent range.

“Looking ahead to 2026, MTN Ghana is well-positioned to capitalise on Ghana’s improving macroeconomic environment. Building on 2025’s performance and operational agility, we will continue to deliver value to our stakeholders,” Blewett concluded.

Source : www.myjoyonline.com

MTN Ghana, in partnership with Emirates Airlines, awarded a loyal customer a complimentary return ticket to Dubai in a special reward drawn from its Closed User Group Offer (CUGO), reinforcing the company’s commitment to delivering value beyond connectivity.

The initiative recognised clients on the uptake of the Emirates CUGO travel platform, which allows MTN customers to access exclusive flight booking benefits and discounts of up to 12 percent on selected economy, business and first-class fares.

At the presentation ceremony, Sandra Oduro Antwi, Senior Specialist, High Value Segment – Marketing at MTN Ghana, said that the collaboration with Emirates reflected MTN’s evolution from a conventional telecom provider to a lifestyle enabler.

“Connectivity is not just about networks. It is about connecting people to opportunity, convenience and experiences that enrich their lives,” she said. She explained that the Emirates CUGO portal was built to make international travel more accessible by eliminating complexity and hidden conditions in the booking process.

The complimentary ticket was randomly awarded to an eligible customer who had travelled using the CUGO platform during the qualifying period.

Speaking to BusinessGhana, Ms. Oduro Antwi said the partnership had been delivering value for nearly a decade and continued to provide MTN customers with travel discounts and periodic rewards. She explained that, in addition to the complimentary ticket sponsored by Emirates, MTN ensured the winner would remain connected during his trip by activating roaming on his eSIM-enabled device. He also received high-value MTN souvenirs for use during his travels.

“We want our customers to think of MTN not only for services but as a gateway to lifestyle benefits. We are building an ecosystem where customers receive real value beyond connectivity,” she said, encouraging customers to use the CUGO platform to unlock even more benefits and discounts as partnerships expand.

Representing Emirates Airlines, Mr Cecil Tenkorang, Sales Manager for Ghana and Ivory Coast, congratulated the winner and affirmed the airline’s pride in working with MTN Ghana. He noted that Emirates had connected Ghana to its global network of more than 150 destinations across six continents, offering travellers unparalleled service and seamless connections worldwide.

The lucky winner, Mr Kwame Kwakye, a businessman and long-standing MTN customer, expressed deep appreciation for the award. He recounted his long loyalty to MTN, dating back to the early 2000s when SIM cards were harder to obtain and network coverage was less reliable. Over the years, he said, MTN’s improvements in voice, data and broadband services had kept him connected and satisfied.

“As a loyal customer, this recognition means a lot. MTN has been part of my journey from the early days of connectivity to now enjoying high-speed services and seamless roaming. I have no intention of leaving the network,” he said. He also suggested that future collaborations could explore additional travel-related benefits such as hotel discounts to enhance the customer experience further

Source : www.businessghana.com

MTN Ghana’s plan to install 500 new network sites in 2026 alone, backed by a US$1.1 billion three-year capital programme, has taken on a new strategic dimension following its parent group’s acquisition of a majority stake in IHS Towers, the infrastructure company that currently owns and operates a substantial portion of the physical masts underpinning MTN’s Ghanaian network.

In February 2026, MTN Group acquired the remaining 75 percent stake in IHS Towers, one of the largest tower infrastructure companies in Africa, valuing the deal at approximately US$6.2 billion. The acquisition significantly deepens MTN’s control over the physical infrastructure underpinning its network operations across its 16 markets, including Ghana, reducing its dependency on third-party tower operators and creating structural conditions for faster rollout.

For Ghana specifically, the timing is significant. MTN Group CEO Ralph Mupita confirmed during a three-day working visit to Accra that the company currently operates more than 5,000 telecommunications sites across the country and intends to add 500 more this year alone, representing a tenfold increase compared with recent expansion rates. MTN Ghana CEO Stephen Blewett put the acceleration into perspective, noting the company built 50 sites in 2025 and between 25 and 30 in 2024 before committing to 500 in a single year.

Previously, the pace of tower deployment in Ghana was partly constrained by the need to negotiate site acquisition, construction and lease arrangements through third-party tower companies. With MTN Group now owning IHS Towers outright, the chain of approvals and cost structures for new site development across its African markets shortens materially.

The US$1.1 billion capital programme targets network resilience, 4G densification, 5G connectivity, large-scale data centre development, and expanded subsea cable connectivity to improve international bandwidth resilience, areas directly aligned with Ghana’s ambition to position itself as a regional artificial intelligence and cloud services hub.

On 5G, Mupita was direct in his discussions with Communications Minister Sam George. He told the minister that the availability of 5G spectrum would enable and empower everyday Ghanaians in terms of home connectivity, and that quality of service improvements, particularly in peri-urban and rural areas, were at the centre of the company’s commitments to government. Ghana has yet to formally auction 5G spectrum, and MTN’s accelerated investment timeline creates additional pressure on the National Communications Authority to clarify its spectrum allocation roadmap, as operators cannot deploy 5G equipment without licensed frequencies regardless of how many physical sites they build.

The US$1.1 billion commitment also encompasses digital skills training for Ghanaian youth, an area MTN Group CEO Ralph Mupita described as a deliberate strategic extension of the company’s role beyond connectivity into human capital development, with a focus on supporting young Ghanaians to become content creators rather than simply content consumers.

Source : www.newsghana.com.gh

Huawei today unveiled its latest suite of smart retail solutions at EuroShop 2026, the world’s leading retail trade fair, to accelerate digital transformation and enhance customer experiences across the retail industry. Together with partners, the company showcased digital infrastructure and intelligent retail technologies for smart stores, cognitive supply chains, and immersive customer experiences.

While exhibiting and speaking at EuroShop 2026, Huawei addressed the fundamental shift underway in sales and retail. Stores are evolving into instant service hubs, relying on smart devices to optimize in-store processes. Across the supply chain, the focus is moving from reactive stock management to anticipatory demand forecasting. At the same time, retailers face growing expectations for AI-powered, personalized shopping experiences as consumers increasingly seek innovative and tailored services.

To help retailers seize new opportunities, Huawei introduced solutions across four key areas: smart stores, cognitive supply chains, immersive consumer experiences, and IP & IT infrastructure.

Smart Store

Electronic shelf labels connected via specialized access points utilize Bluetooth Low Energy 5.4 to enable centralized, real-time price and promotion updates, helping reduce operating costs.

RFID-enabled access points with passive tags automatically capture inventory movements and stock levels, improving accuracy and streamlining restocking processes.

Cognitive Supply Chain

AI-driven predictive demand planning tools support sales and order forecasting, enabling proactive planning across the supply chain.

Immersive Customer Experience

A virtual showroom platform leverages AI and augmented reality for immersive product presentations and interactive consultations.

AI-powered contact centers enable direct video communication between customers and service staff, ensuring efficient handling of inquiries.

IP & IT Infrastructure

High-performance network and storage infrastructures support the rapid deployment and reliable operation of smart applications.

AI in Retail: Industry Dialogue at EuroShop 2026

Joined by several European partners, Huawei delivered two keynote speeches at the trade fair on current retail trends, featuring case studies with European companies. The presentations focused on real-time data utilization, automation, and AI-driven customer experience optimization.

The company also hosted roundtable discussions on smart retail solutions and infrastructure. By combining innovative technologies with strong partnerships, Huawei reaffirmed its commitment to driving digital transformation in retail—delivering greater efficiency, data precision, and enhanced customer experiences.

Source : www.e.huawei.com

The Minister of Communication, Innovations, and Digital Technologies, Mr. Samuel Nartey George, says the government, through his ministry, is targeting a 70% 5G population coverage by 2027, where Ghana will be celebrating its 70th Independence Day.

Addressing participants at the 30th Anniversary celebration of the National Communications Authority (NCA), Mr. Nartey George explained that the task for achieving 70% 5G population coverage will require rapid deployment of networks, infrastructure expansion, and significant capital investment.

“Our vision is to achieve 70% of 5G population density coverage by the 70th independence celebration of our nation, next year. So, the work is cut out for the regulator.

You have barely a year to roll out 5G using both the wholesale model and the network-led operations and achieve 70% population density coverage,” the minister stressed.

He acknowledged the challenge ahead but expressed confidence in the capabilities of the NCA team.

“It is a steep aspiration, but I am more than confident in the resilience and abilities of the people who run the NCA,” he added.

Source : www.gbcghanaonline.com

The Cyber Security Authority (CSA) is reviewing its governing legislation to strengthen Ghana’s response to increasingly complex cybercrime cases.

Speaking on Business Breakfast on Zed 101.9FM, the Director of Communication, International Cooperation and Strategic Partnership, Benjamin Avornyotse disclosed that the review of the Cybersecurity Act is being led by the Minister responsible for the sector, Sam George, with the aim of aligning the law with emerging global standards and the evolving nature of cyber threats.

According to him, Ghana is dealing with sophisticated cyber investigations, some of which have national and intercontinental dimensions, requiring stronger legal and institutional frameworks.

“We are dealing with very complex investigations in cyberspace, some of which are at national and intercontinental levels. It requires that even the handling of cyber evidence by our courts and law enforcement agencies is something we need to look at carefully,” he said.

Mr. Avornyotse revealed that part of the ongoing review includes discussions on whether the NCSA should be granted expanded powers, including the authority to carry out arrests and prosecutions in specific cyber-related cases.

He stressed that without robust enforcement mechanisms and properly trained personnel, successful arrests may not necessarily translate into successful prosecutions.

“You may make all the noise about arrests, but when it comes to prosecution and handling cyber evidence, the technical complexity can become a challenge,” he noted.

To strengthen Ghana’s cybercrime response, the Authority has intensified collaboration with international partners, including the Council of Europe, INTERPOL, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

These partnerships, he said, are focused on training law enforcement agencies and enhancing investigative capacity to meet global best practices in digital forensics and cybercrime prosecution.

Mr. Avornyotse also disclosed that the Judicial Service of Ghana, in collaboration with the NCSA, has initiated the creation of specialised cyber courts to handle cybercrime-related cases.

He explained that cyber offences are highly technical and demand judges and prosecutors with specialised knowledge in digital evidence and cyber law.

“Cybersecurity crimes are very technical and quite complex. If you do not have the right training and expertise in handling cyber evidence, prosecution can become difficult,” he said.

The CSA is also working to close gaps in the protection of Ghana’s Critical Information Infrastructure (CII), which includes essential digital systems that support national security, financial services, telecommunications and other vital sectors.

Mr. Avornyotse said the Authority is working behind the scenes to tighten loopholes in cybercrime prosecution, improve evidence management processes, and strengthen institutional coordination to safeguard the country’s digital ecosystem.

The review of the Cybersecurity Act is expected to position Ghana to better confront emerging cyber threats while enhancing confidence in the country’s digital transformation agenda.

Source : www.zedmultimedia.com

The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovation, Sam Nartey George, has announced that the government has initiated processes to transition the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC) into a new entity to be known as the Digital Economy and Innovations Development Fund (DEIDEF).

He disclosed this at the official launch of the 30th Anniversary celebrations of the National Communications Authority (NCA), where he highlighted the steady growth of Ghana’s communications sector over the years.

According to the Minister, the progress recorded in the sector reflects sustained leadership and policy continuity across different political administrations.

The proposed transition, he explained, forms part of broader efforts to align Ghana’s digital infrastructure financing framework with emerging innovations and the country’s expanding digital economy agenda.

“Under Hon. Albert Kan Dapaah, the government established the Ghana Investment Fund for Telecommunications, then known as GIFTEL, recognizing that universal access required deliberate intervention.

“That initiative evolved into GIFEC which continues to expand connectivity and digital opportunities. Today, the ministry is undertaking legislative review to transition GIFEC into DEIDEF; the Digital Economy and Innovations Development Fund,” he said.

Source : www.citinewsroom.com