Industry News

Six communities in the Bole District of the Savannah Region have been successfully connected to telecommunications network access, bringing relief and renewed opportunities to residents.

The beneficiary communities include Kabilma, Bale, Gbenfu, Doli, Kilampobile, and Chache.

Residents expressed their joy following the development, noting that the lack of telecommunications network had long affected communication, business activities, and access to emergency services.

They lamented the difficulties they faced in communicating with relatives, accessing mobile money services, and conducting business transactions due to the absence of reliable network connectivity.

They added that the introduction of telecommunications network services will help accelerate development in their communities and improve communication with families, business partners, and the outside world.

In an interaction with the media, the engineer of Redmi Ghana, Prince Yeboah Boateng, disclosed that his team was deployed to the Bole District to extend telecommunications network services to underserved communities.

He explained that the project forms part of efforts to bridge the digital divide and ensure that rural communities benefit from modern communication infrastructure.

According to him, the installation process involved site surveys, erection of network equipment, and testing to ensure reliable connectivity for residents.

He assured the communities of Redmi Ghana’s commitment to providing stable and efficient telecommunications services.

The Member of Parliament for the Bole-Bamboi Constituency and Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Alhaji Yusif Sulemana stated that the Ministry of Communications has approved plans to connect all communities in the district that currently lack telecommunications network access.

He noted that the initiative forms part of government’s broader agenda to expand digital infrastructure and promote inclusive national development.

He further revealed that Redmi Ghana has already visited several communities to strengthen weak telecommunications signals and improve overall service quality in the district.

He assured residents that efforts are ongoing to ensure that all underserved communities are connected before the end of the current administration’s tenure.

Source : www.citinewsroom.com

MTN Group has officially elevated its Ghana operations to a major subsidiary, following the country’s remarkable performance and immense growth potential, according to the telecommunication’s Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ralph Mupita.

In a media engagement at the MTN head office in Accra, Mr. Mupita underscored the country’s consistent double-digit growth, sturdy digital adoption, and significant initiative towards mobile money, data and growing digital services.

He noted that these strategic steps have positioned the Ghanaian market as one of the top-performing operations in the group.

“Until last year, we had only two major subsidiaries — South Africa and Nigeria. Ghana has now been added as the third. This decision was based purely on performance and potential,” he highlighted.

He stressed that the meeting focused on quality of service, investment promotion, digital infrastructure, and fintech regulation.

During the visit, Mr. Mupita met with key stakeholders including the Bank of Ghana, the Communications Minister Sam George, and the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC). The discussions focused on quality of service, investment promotion, digital infrastructure, and fintech regulation.

The CEO mentioned network expansion , where MTN is committed to add 500 new telecommunications sites in 2026 to improve coverage and quality of service.

Also, an advocacy on 5G. The company emphasized that access to 5G spectrum would empower households and businesses, enhancing broadband connectivity across urban and rural areas.

On Mobile Money security, the telecommunication says it will collaborate with the Bank of Ghana, while leveraging AI tools to address fraud and scams in the mobile money ecosystem.

Digital Infrastructure and AI Initiatives was also discussed. Mr. Mupita also revealed that MTN Group will support with fiber rollout, AI data centers, and digital skilling programs for youth, particularly in creative content development.

Concluding, Mr. Mupita expressed confidence in Ghana’s digital transformation potential  while citing India’s digital growth as an example.

“Ghana has the raw talent, human capital, and infrastructure to achieve similar socio-economic transformation. Nothing stops Ghana from fulfilling its ambitions by deploying digital infrastructure and leveraging the digital economy,” he established.

He also reaffirmed MTN’s excitement about deepening capital investment and driving socio-economic impact in Ghana: “We are super excited to allocate more capital here because we believe it can have a meaningful socio-economic impact. The future is bright, and we will deepen our commitments in the months ahead.”

Ebenezer Asante, Senior Vice President, MTN Ghana also highlighted that leadership engagement with authorities is about reaffirming the company’s commitment and aligning strategy with national priorities, and stressed that the country’s success is not only measured by past performance but its readiness to accept future opportunities.

Mr. Asante echoed optimism and noted that: “Even as the company performs, so will we continue to transform and take full advantage of AI and emerging opportunities. The team here is fantastic, and we are ready for the next phase of growth.”

Source : www.cedirates.com

MTN Ghana has been formally elevated to the status of a major subsidiary within the MTN Group, joining South Africa and Nigeria in the telecoms giant’s top tier of strategic operations, MTN Group President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ralph Mupita announced during a three-day working visit to Accra that concluded on Friday, February 20, 2026.

Mupita confirmed the elevation during a media interaction, framing it as a direct expression of the Group’s confidence in Ghana’s trajectory as an investment destination. He emphasised that MTN Ghana had performed impressively within the Group in 2025, making it the third major subsidiary following Nigeria and South Africa.

Accompanying the announcement was a major capital commitment. MTN Group will allocate over US$1.1 billion in capital expenditure over the next three years to strengthen network infrastructure and enhance customer experience nationwide, a significant acceleration from the US$1 billion invested over the preceding five years.

The network expansion plans are striking in scale. MTN Ghana CEO Stephen Blewett disclosed that the company built 50 new network sites in 2025 and between 25 and 30 sites in 2024. This year, it plans to install at least 500 new sites, a tenfold jump tied directly to quality of service targets for customers in underserved areas.

During the visit, Mupita and his delegation engaged the Bank of Ghana (BoG), the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), and the Ministry of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations. Board Chairman of MTN Ghana Dr Ishmael Yamson, MTN Ghana CEO Stephen Blewett, and Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer Adwoa Afriyie Wiafi accompanied the Group CEO.

Beyond infrastructure, the Group outlined several strategic priorities for Ghana. MTN said it would collaborate with the Bank of Ghana (BoG) and deploy artificial intelligence (AI) tools to combat fraud in the mobile money ecosystem. The Group also signalled support for fibre rollout, AI data centres, and digital skills development for Ghanaian youth, with particular emphasis on creative content.

GIPC CEO Simon Madjie welcomed the capital commitment, framing it as a vote of confidence in Ghana’s investment climate during a period of macroeconomic stabilisation, noting that Ghana’s inflation has stabilised at around 5.4 percent following debt restructuring.

Mupita also pointed to India’s digital economy transformation as a reference point for what Ghana could achieve. MTN Group Senior Vice President Ebenezer Asante reinforced the message, saying the visit was about co-designing future opportunities as much as reviewing past results.

The Ghana visit came weeks after MTN made its largest infrastructure move in years at the Group level, acquiring the remaining 75 percent stake in IHS Towers, one of the largest tower infrastructure companies in Africa, in a deal valued at approximately US$6.2 billion. That acquisition deepens MTN’s control over the physical infrastructure underpinning its network operations across its 16 markets.

Source : www.newsghana.com.gh

Bharti Airtel (BRTI.NS), opens new tab will invest 200 billion rupees ($2.2 billion) in its financial arm over the next few years, India’s second-largest mobile carrier by number of users said on Monday, as it steps up its push into digital lending.

The capital will be infused into its subsidiary, Airtel Money, which received a non-banking financial company (NBFC) license from the Reserve Bank of India on February 13.

Airtel’s expansion comes as competition intensifies in India’s non-bank lending sector, where conglomerates such as Jio Financial Services (JIOF.NS), opens new tab and established players like Bajaj Finance (BJFN.NS), opens new tab are scaling up retail credit operations.

The move strengthens Airtel’s financial services business as it diversifies beyond telecom into areas such as data centres, cloud and enterprise services.

The telecom major will contribute 70% of the 200 billion rupees capital, with key shareholder Bharti Enterprises providing the remaining, Airtel said in a press release.

The move “will leverage the large Airtel customer base to build the next growth engine for the company and further diversify its portfolio,” it added.

Source: reuters.com

Mr. Mupita, in a media interaction last Friday, announced plans to invest US$1.1 billion in Ghana over the next three years to strengthen its infrastructure and improve service delivery.

MTN Group President and CEO, Ralph Mupita, has completed a three-day working visit to Ghana. His visit sought to advance the company’s digital ambitions and reinforce the Group’s commitment to the Ghana market.

Mr. Mupita, in a media interaction last Friday, announced plans to invest US$1.1 billion in Ghana over the next three years to strengthen its infrastructure and improve service delivery. He said the accelerated capital expenditure underscores the company’s confidence in its Ghanaian operations.

“We are going to accelerate capital investment within the business, US$1.1 billion equivalent over a three-year period to build robust infrastructure. Previously, we invested US$1 billion over five years. This acceleration demonstrates that Ghana remains a material operation for the Group.”

– Ralph Mupita, President and CEO, MTN Group 

During the visit, the Group CEO engaged with key stakeholders across the public sectors. Discussions focused on strengthening collaboration and driving investment to support Ghana’s national development, while positioning MTN to continue delivering leading digital solutions for Africa’s progress.

Mr. Mupita also met with MTN Ghana’s leadership team and employees, where he reiterated the Group’s confidence in the Ghana business and outlined expectations for the year ahead. These engagements highlighted ongoing investment in network resilience, customer experience, digital innovation, and youth empowerment initiatives. He also used the opportunity to announce that MTN Ghana has been formally elevated to the status of a major subsidiary within the MTN Group, reflecting its growing strategic importance within the MTN Group.

Senior Vice President of MTN Group, Ebenezer Asante, reiterated the importance of deepening collaboration with government and regulatory agencies.

“We are not only here to talk about what we have done in the past, but to engage in solutioning, to explore what more we can do together and how we can partner on future opportunities.”

– Ebenezer Asante, Senior Vice President, MTN Group

For his part, the CEO of MTN Ghana, Stephen Blewett, disclosed the company’s plans to roll out at least 500 new network sites by the end of 2026. To put the expansion into perspective, Mr. Blewett noted that MTN Ghana built 50 sites in 2025 and between 25 to 30 sites in 2024.

“Now, we are moving to 500 sites in a single year. And why are we doing that? Because it gives a better quality of service to our customers.”

– Stephen Blewett, CEO, MTN Ghana

During his three-day visit, Mr. Mupita visited key government institutions like the Bank of Ghana, Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) and the Ministry of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations.

Source : www.techafricanews.com

Ericsson, together with Apple and MediaTek, is advancing 6G ecosystem development through joint demonstrations at Mobile World Congress 2026 that highlight spectrum-sharing technologies and early prototype systems. The collaborations aim to ensure interoperability between networks, devices, and chipsets while preparing service providers for a gradual transition from 5G to 6G. Showcases include Multi-RAT Spectrum Sharing for efficient coexistence of 5G and 6G and centimeter-wave connectivity designed to support AI-driven and extended reality applications, marking an important step toward expected commercial 6G readiness around 2030.

STOCKHOLM, 23-Feb-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Ericsson is intensifying its push toward 6G development by expanding collaboration with key technology partners Apple and MediaTek, aiming to accelerate ecosystem readiness for the next generation of mobile connectivity. At Mobile World Congress 2026 in Barcelona, the companies will present live demonstrations showcasing early innovations in spectrum use and prototype systems designed to support future 6G capabilities.

The joint efforts reflect an ecosystem-driven strategy to define, validate, and scale technologies that will underpin 6G networks. By aligning infrastructure, devices, and chipsets early in the development cycle, the partners are working to ensure interoperability and smooth adoption for communications service providers as the industry transitions beyond 5G.

One of the demonstrations, conducted with Apple, focuses on Multi-RAT Spectrum Sharing (MRSS), a technology designed to allow 5G and future 6G services to operate simultaneously within the same frequency bands. The approach is intended to enable a gradual migration path, reducing operational complexity while maximizing spectrum efficiency. The proof-of-concept setup links separate 5G and simulated 6G systems through an Ericsson base station operating in mid-band Time Division Duplex spectrum to validate real-time performance.

In collaboration with MediaTek, Ericsson will also showcase how centimeter-wave spectrum could support high-capacity, low-latency connectivity required by emerging applications such as AI-enhanced extended reality and other data-intensive services. The demonstration integrates Ericsson’s radio access network with a MediaTek prototype device platform, illustrating an end-to-end connection up to the IP layer.

A key feature being explored is contention-based buffer status reporting, a concept aimed at significantly lowering latency in dense environments—an important requirement for scaling immersive and AI-driven applications.

These initiatives build on the foundation established by 5G Standalone and 5G Advanced technologies while aligning with global 3GPP and O-RAN frameworks that are expected to shape open, programmable network architectures. Initial implementable 6G specifications are anticipated toward the end of the decade, with commercial deployments projected around 2030.

Through early validation of technical concepts and cross-industry partnerships, Ericsson and its collaborators are laying the groundwork for scalable 6G infrastructure, enabling service providers to evolve networks efficiently while unlocking new opportunities tied to artificial intelligence and next-generation digital experiences.

Source : news.europawire.eu

Over 400 people in Nchamab, a rural community in Pru East District of the Bono East Region, received free health screening and medication at the Telecel 2026 Healthfest. The event, targeting deprived areas, identified common illnesses like hepatitis B, diabetes, malaria, and typhoid.

The chief executive officer of Divine Mother and Child Foundation,Mr Edmund Duodu, highlighted the need for Telecel Healthfest to bring quality healthcare services to the people in rural areas. 

“We aim to bridge the healthcare gap in rural areas,” said Edmund Duodu of Divine Mother and Child Foundation. The foundation plans to reach over a million people this year.

The fest in its two forms is identifying and solving problems of people who one way or other can afford to pay their hospital bills and providing free medical to pregnant women in the rural areas.

Mr. Edmund Duodu mentioned Telecel Healthfest does not just end by providing these medical services but also takes contacts of every beneficiary, so once a while, they check them and those who need to go visit hospitals would be taken care of.

Beneficiaries from communities like Number One and Tabun and its environs praised the initiative, citing difficulties accessing quality healthcare. One beneficiary beamed with joy, grateful for the timely service.

According to some of the beneficiaries,they hardly go to the health facilities for check-ups, and even when they are sick,they use the local medicines for treatment because the availability of these facilities is a bigger challenge and appealed for support from government,NGOs and other individuals to bring quality healthcare services closer to them.

Source : www.gbcghanaonline.com

MTN will participate in MWC Barcelona 2026 from 2 to 5 March at Fira Gran Via in Barcelona, joining global industry leaders, governments and investors as the sector shapes the next phase of digital infrastructure and services. Convened by the GSMA, MWC Barcelona 2026 marks the event’s 20th edition in Barcelona and remains the sector’s most influential gathering on connectivity and the digital economy.

For the first time at MWC Barcelona, MTN will exhibit from its own stand in Hall 4, providing a dedicated space for leadership engagement on the infrastructure, policy and partnership priorities shaping Africa’s digital and AI readiness.

With the event theme, “The IQ Era,” MWC Barcelona 2026 will spotlight AI-powered connectivity, next-generation networks and the systems that make digital transformation durable, secure and scalable. For Africa, AI readiness will be determined by fundamentals that can be built, financed and governed: resilient networks and supporting infrastructure, affordable access, relevant skills, and policy and regulatory certainty that supports long-term investment. MTN’s participation reflects its continued focus on strengthening these foundations through sustained network investment, expanding digital and financial services, and supporting partnerships that extend reach and reduce barriers to inclusion.

Leading the MTN delegation, Group President and CEO Ralph Mupita, in his capacity as Deputy Chair of the GSMA, will engage in high-level discussions on the enabling role of telecommunications in AI ecosystems. His participation in leadership engagements during the week will focus on the infrastructure and enabling frameworks required for responsible AI adoption at scale, particularly in emerging markets.

MTN’s broader executive team will contribute to specialised dialogues on priorities central to Africa’s digital future, including fintech innovation, digital trust and online safety, and the partnership models needed to accelerate coverage, strengthen resilience and build confidence in digital platforms.

MTN invites partners, investors, media and stakeholders attending MWC Barcelona 2026 to connect with the team in Hall 4 to engage on how Africa’s digital future is being built, and the practical collaboration required to ensure the AI era broadens opportunity rather than widening divides.

Source : www.mtn.com

Two hundred Kenyan youth from the country’s northeastern semi-arid region have graduated from a digital skills training program sponsored by Chinese telecoms firm Huawei.

Senior government officials, lawmakers and industry executives graced the graduation ceremony, stressing the critical role of digital literacy among youth in powering the growth of Kenya’s knowledge-based economy.

Ummir Bashir, principal secretary in the State Department for Culture, the Arts and Heritage, said Kenya is relying on the digital skills of its youthful population to achieve inclusive growth and enhance competitiveness.

Bashir hailed the six-week Huawei-supported training course under its flagship DigiTruck program, saying it enabled the youth to acquire market-relevant skills.

“As we move deeper into a digital world driven by technology and social media, these skills are essential for meaningful participation in today’s economy,” she said at the ceremony on Friday in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital.

Launched in Kenya in 2019, the Huawei DigiTruck is a solar-powered mobile classroom designed to deliver free, hands-on digital skills training directly to grassroots communities, boosting digital inclusion in the country.

So far, the DigiTruck has reached 40 of Kenya’s 47 counties, providing digital skills training to about 9,000 local youth.

The program, implemented by Huawei in partnership with state agencies, aims to equip youth with practical competencies in basic digital literacy, online safety, data privacy and entrepreneurship.

Yuta Leng, director of public affairs at Huawei Kenya, said the company remains committed to bridging the digital divide in Kenya through youth-centered training and mentorship.

“Through initiatives like DigiTruck, we are ensuring that every community has the skills needed to participate meaningfully in the digital economy,” Leng said.

Aden Daudi, a lawmaker from Wajir County in northeastern Kenya, hailed the DigiTruck program for helping eliminate the skills and infrastructure gaps that have prevented youth in marginalised regions from acquiring digital literacy. 

Source : english.news.cn

Ghana has maintained its position as the world’s top performer in the 2025 Mobile Money Regulatory Index (MMRI) published by the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA), scoring 96.10 per cent, up from 95.06 per cent in 2024.

The latest ranking reinforces Ghana’s reputation as a global leader in mobile money regulation, underpinned by a framework that promotes innovation, deepens financial inclusion and strengthens consumer protection within the digital financial ecosystem.

The GSMA’s Mobile Money Regulatory Index assesses regulatory frameworks across 90 countries, measuring how effectively policies enable mobile money services to grow while ensuring operational integrity and user safeguards. Ghana’s continued dominance positions it as a benchmark for digital financial governance globally.

The index highlights Ghana’s strong performance across several regulatory pillars. The country achieved perfect scores of 100 in transparency and disclosure requirements, authorisation processes, and consumer protection — reflecting clear regulatory guidelines, accessible market information, and robust safeguards for users.

Ghana scored 93 in integrity, demonstrating solid ethical standards and compliance within the mobile money sector. Oversight of operations, organisation, and governance recorded 85, suggesting scope for improved coordination and monitoring.

Meanwhile, policy enablement scored 96, signalling a regulatory climate that supports innovation and effective policy implementation.

In response to the ranking, the Bank of Ghana reaffirmed its commitment to collaboration and policy continuity.

“The Bank will continue to collaborate with relevant stakeholders in the implementation of policies aimed at sustaining Ghana’s progress toward a fully inclusive and digitally empowered economy,” it stated.

Despite the strong regulatory showing, fraud remains a significant challenge within Ghana’s expanding mobile money ecosystem. Data from the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) indicate a steady rise in cybercrime-related losses, with online fraud ranking among the most frequently reported threats.

Between January and September 2025, Ghana recorded more than 2,000 cybercrime incidents, many linked to mobile money fraud, resulting in losses exceeding GH¢19 million for individuals and businesses.

The contrast between Ghana’s world-leading regulatory framework and rising fraud cases highlights a critical reality: while policy foundations are robust, sustained vigilance, public education and enhanced fraud prevention measures will be essential to protect users and preserve trust in the country’s rapidly growing digital financial services sector.

Source : www.citinewsroom.com