Industry News

Penplusbytes commends the swift and proactive efforts of the Ghana Police Service, particularly its Cybercrime Unit, for taking decisive action against individuals involved in the creation and dissemination of deepfake content and other forms of misinformation.
The recent arrests linked to the impersonation of high-profile personalities, including President John Dramani Mahama, the First Lady Lordina Mahama, and other public figures, underscore the growing sophistication and danger of AI-enabled deception. These malicious activities not only erode public trust in information ecosystems but also expose citizens to fraud, manipulation, and reputational harm.
This development is especially concerning within the broader context of Ghana’s recent electoral cycle. During and after the 2024 general elections, there has been a noticeable rise in manipulated and synthetic media content, including deepfakes, used to mislead the public, distort political narratives, and inflame tensions. This trend highlights the urgent need for sustained and coordinated interventions to safeguard Ghana’s information integrity.
Penplusbytes being at the forefront of promoting Media and Information Literacy (MIL), digital security, and countering mis/disinformation, we welcome this enforcement action and call for a holistic approach to addressing the evolving threat landscape.
While we applaud the actions of the Ghana Police Service, we also wish to put forward the following recommendations:
Intensify Public Education on Deepfakes and Digital Manipulation
The proliferation of deepfakes during and after the 2024 elections demonstrated how easily manipulated content can influence public perception and decision-making. There is an urgent need for sustained, nationwide public education campaigns to raise awareness about AI-generated content, how it is created, and how citizens can detect and respond to it responsibly.
Scale Up Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Through Strategic Partnerships
Government, through its ministries and agencies, must scale up investments in MIL to equip citizens with skills to navigate the digital information ecosystem responsibly. Over the years, Penplusbytes has implemented a range of MIL initiatives aimed at equipping Ghanaians, particularly young people, with critical thinking, verification, and digital safety skills. These efforts have contributed to building resilience against mis/disinformation. However, the scale and complexity of today’s information disorder require expanded investment and coordination. There is an urgent need for government, development partners, and private sector actors to collaborate with civil society organizations like Penplusbytes to scale up MIL interventions nationwide. Embedding MIL within formal education systems and community-based programs will be critical to building long-term societal resilience.
Strengthen Legal and Regulatory Frameworks on Misinformation and Disinformation
Legislation forms a critical component of the broader measures required to effectively address misinformation and disinformation. In this regard, Penplusbytes in 2025 conducted a comprehensive review of Ghana’s existing legal and policy frameworks. Our findings reveal notable gaps in addressing emerging threats such as AI-generated content, as well as challenges stemming from vague definitions and the potential misapplication of current laws. These limitations risk undermining both enforcement efforts and the protection of fundamental rights.
We therefore urge policymakers to adopt the recommendations from these reviews, including the development of a comprehensive, fit-for-purpose legal framework that reflects current technological realities. Such reforms should ensure clear and precise definitions, proportional and accountable enforcement mechanisms, and strong safeguards against abuse, while upholding fundamental freedoms such as freedom of expression.
Promote Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration
Effectively combating misinformation and deepfakes requires coordinated action across sectors. We encourage stronger collaboration between law enforcement agencies, electoral bodies, technology platforms, media organizations, academia, and civil society to develop shared strategies and rapid response mechanisms.
Enhance Capacity and Resourcing for Law Enforcement
Additionally, Penplusbytes encourages continued investment in the technical capacity and resourcing of the Cybercrime Unit of the Ghana Police Service. As digital threats evolve, equipping law enforcement with advanced tools, training, and expertise will be essential for timely detection, investigation, and prosecution.
Hold Technology Platforms Accountable for Deepfake and Harmful Content
Social media and digital platforms serve as primary vectors for the amplification of deepfakes and synthetic disinformation. Penplusbytes calls on technology companies operating in Ghana and across the West Africa sub-region to implement robust content moderation policies, invest in AI-detection tools, and establish transparent reporting mechanisms for deepfake content. Platforms must take proactive steps to label AI-generated content, swiftly remove verified deepfakes, and cooperate with national authorities in investigations. Ghana’s regulatory bodies, including the National Communications Authority (NCA) and Cyber Security Authority (CSA) should develop clear platform accountability frameworks and enforce compliance standards that reflect the gravity of AI-enabled information manipulation.
Penplusbytes remains committed to working with all stakeholders to strengthen Ghana’s information ecosystem and promote a digitally safe and informed society. Through Penplusbytes’ initiatives such as the Fact-Checking Marketplace, as well as MIL interventions, Penplusbytes continues to provide citizens and institutions with practical tools to identify, verify, and counter disinformation. We urge citizens to remain vigilant, verify information before sharing, and report suspicious content to the appropriate authorities.

Source : www.myjoyonline.com

Huawei Cloud is driving Thailand’s digital transformation by enabling the large-scale deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) across key government agencies, demonstrating how cloud and AI technologies can deliver tangible improvements in public services, regulatory efficiency, and economic development.

At a recent Huawei Cloud AI Boost Day – Thailand 2026, leading public sector organizations including the National Electronics and Computer Technology Center (NECTEC), the Thai Food and Drug Administration (Thai FDA), and the Ministry of Commerce shared real-world success stories of deploying AI on Huawei Cloud to address complex operational challenges and unlock new value.

As a leading research institution, NECTEC highlighted its long-standing expertise in AI and Thai language processing, developed over more than two decades. By leveraging Huawei Cloud, NECTEC has successfully transformed its research into practical applications through solutions such as “PartiNote,” an AI-powered platform for speech recognition and meeting intelligence.

The solution enables real-time transcription, automated summarization, and searchable audio insights, significantly reducing the time required to process meetings and improving knowledge management across organizations. With high accuracy and the ability to scale on cloud infrastructure, PartiNote demonstrates how locally developed AI can be deployed effectively in real-world government environments.

NECTEC has been advancing Thai language AI for over two decades. Today, through Huawei Cloud, we are transforming this research into real-world applications. Solutions like PartiNote not only enhance meeting efficiency but also turn voice data into actionable knowledge at both organizational and national levels,” Dr. Kwanchiva Thangthai, a researcher at NECTEC, said.

Transforming Healthcare Regulation with AI

The Thai FDA showcased how AI is being applied in mission-critical regulatory processes to improve both efficiency and public safety. Faced with over one million product registration applications annually, the agency has implemented AI to automate document analysis, screening, and summarization.

By deploying AI on Huawei Cloud, the Thai FDA has increased operational efficiency by up to three times while expanding processing capacity significantly. The system enables 24/7 operations with high reliability, allowing faster approvals without compromising safety standards, said Mr. Sutham Tesrumphun, Deputy Director of Information Technology Center at Thai FDA.

Beyond internal operations, AI also supports businesses by helping them prepare more accurate submissions and enhances consumer protection through future capabilities such as real-time monitoring and product verification.

“By integrating AI into our regulatory processes, the FDA can significantly reduce approval timelines while maintaining the highest safety standards. Huawei Cloud provides the critical infrastructure needed to manage large-scale data and operate AI systems efficiently around the clock,” Mr. Sutham added.

Empowering Data-Driven Governance

The Ministry of Commerce demonstrated how AI and cloud technologies are being used to modernize public services and support economic growth. Through its “MOC Go” platform, the ministry integrates data from 76 provincial offices and 58 overseas offices, enabling real-time visibility into economic activities and trade opportunities.

Mrs. Duanphen Krongmalai, Director of Information and Communication Technology at Ministry of Commerce, said AI-powered capabilities, including social listening and generative AI chatbots, allow the ministry to analyze market trends, respond to public feedback, and support decision-making with greater speed and accuracy. By breaking down data silos and enabling system integration on Huawei Cloud, the platform enhances coordination across agencies and improves services for businesses and citizens alike.

“The Ministry of Commerce is leveraging AI and Huawei Cloud to connect data from both domestic and international sources through the MOC Go platform. This enables better policy decision-making and enhanced services for businesses and citizens. We believe AI will be a key driver of Thailand’s digital economy moving forward,” she said.

Across all three organizations, Huawei Cloud plays a critical role in enabling AI deployment at scale. Its infrastructure supports large-scale data processing, ensures high security and data sovereignty, and provides the reliability required for mission-critical government systems.

From AI model development and deployment to real-time analytics and intelligent applications, Huawei Cloud empowers public sector organizations to move beyond experimentation and achieve measurable outcomes.

Driving Thailand’s Digital Future with AI

These success stories reflect a broader shift in Thailand’s public sector—from traditional operations to AI-driven, data-centric governance. By adopting Huawei Cloud, government agencies are not only improving efficiency and service delivery but also laying the foundation for a more intelligent, responsive, and competitive digital economy.

As AI adoption continues to expand, collaboration between government agencies, technology providers, and research institutions will be key to unlocking the full potential of Thailand’s digital transformation.

About Huawei Cloud Thailand

Huawei Cloud Thailand is a leading cloud service provider committed to accelerating Thailand’s digital transformation under the mission of “In Thailand, For Thailand.” According to the latest report from Gartner, Huawei Cloud is ranked No.2 by revenue in Thailand’s Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) market, solidifying its position as one of the most trusted and fastest-growing international cloud providers in the country.

As the first international public cloud vendor to establish local data centres in Thailand, Huawei Cloud now operates three Availability Zones, ensuring high reliability and low-latency connectivity for local users. Leveraging Huawei’s 30-plus years of expertise in ICT infrastructure, it integrates cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cloud-Native 2.0, and Big Data technologies to empower over 40 government agencies and thousands of enterprises across the Kingdom. By building a robust digital ecosystem and fostering local talent, Huawei Cloud aims to drive Thailand’s “Digital Economy” forward, bringing cloud and intelligence to every corner of the country for a fully connected, intelligent future.

Source : www.koreaherald.com

MTN CEO Ralph Mupita has been awarded R39.97 million worth of shares in the company, while other executives received R120 million worth between them. 

This was revealed by MTN late on Tuesday in an announcement on the JSE’s stock exchange news service. 

The company explained that the award of these shares to various executives was done under its Performance Share Plan 2010. 

MTN’s executives were awarded and accepted shares under this plan on 31 March 2026. 

“These are subject to performance conditions, in accordance with the MTN Performance Share Plan,” MTN said.

MTN explained in its previous company reporting that its long-term incentive scheme ties executive rewards to the company’s performance over a three-year period. 

The company’s board evaluates the performance of its executives using four criteria – total shareholder return, cumulative operating free cash flow, return on equity, and ESG. 

The company said that all award recipients with minimum shareholding requirements have fulfilled their obligations.

“The vesting date has been accelerated to 10 December 2028, aligning with the date on which the award would normally have been granted, being 10 December 2025,” MTN said.

The awarding and acceptance of these shares comes after MTN unveiled a strong set of results for the 2025 financial year on 16 March 2026. 

MTN’s profit surged to R20.3 billion after it did not experience a repeat of currency devaluations that dented some of its businesses across 18 markets, especially in Nigeria. 

However, it has not been all good news for the company of late, with it being unable to sell its 49% stake in its Iranian venture, Irancell, due to US sanctions against the Middle Eastern nation. 

The carrier has maintained the non-controlling shareholding in Irancell since 2006 after signing a deal with the theocracy underpinned by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. 

MTN has not been able to extract profit or invest in the operation for almost eight years because of the sanctions. 

“The investment in Irancell is subject to a number of sovereign, regulatory and commercial risks, which could result in the group failing to realise the full market value of its investment should it be required to dispose of any portion thereof,” the company said in its 2025 results statement. 

What was once a lucrative foothold in a large emerging market has become one of the most troublesome operations for current CEO Mupita.

Executive	Position	Total value of shares received
Ralph Mupita	Group President & CEO	R39,969,275
Ebenezer Asante	Senior Vice President, Markets	R23,269,457
Tsholofelo Molefe	Group Chief Financial Officer	R21,546,714
Ferdinand J Moolman	MTN SA CEO	R20,125,000
Yolanda Cuba	Director of Major Subsidiary	R12,073,220
Paul Norman	Director of Major Subsidiary	R10,843,944
Dineo Molefe	Director of Major Subsidiary	R6,845,197
Sugentharen Perumal	Director of Major Subsidiary	R6,821,370
Karl Olutokun Toriola	MTN Nigeria CEO	R5,525,460
Stephen Blewett	CEO: MTN Ghana	R4,115,998
Antoinette Kwofie	CFO: MTN Ghana	R2,629,636
Lucy Mokoka	Group Company Secretary	R2,311,583
Modupe Kadri	Director of Major Subsidiary	R2,282,020
Mateboho Rantofi	Company Secretary of Subsidiary	R1,916,047

Source: www. dailyinvestor.com

Leading mobile telecommunications company, MTN Ghana, has presented a cheque and items worth GH¢200,000 to the National Chief Imam in support of his continuous activities.

The donation was made during a visit to the Chief Imam which is an annual engagement and  the company’s efforts to strengthen its relationship with the Imam and to support them during the festive period.

The Chief Digital Officer of MTN Ghana, Ibrahim Misto, who led the delegation, said the gesture was to appreciate the continuous support and guidance of the Muslim community and its leadership.

He added that MTN would remain available throughout the holidays to provide customer support, education and awareness, particularly on mobile money services.

The items donated included a GH¢30,000 cheque, bags of rice, cooking oil, milk, Milo, sugar, tea bags, drinks, water and a sheep.

Mr Misto said the company would deploy teams at selected vantage points during the Eid period to engage customers, resolve service challenges and educate the public on mobile money fraud.

He explained that the initiative was aimed at ensuring customers enjoyed a safe and seamless festive season without falling victim to fraudulent activities.

He further indicated that MTN would roll out similar initiatives during other key periods, such as the Hajj season, with promotions and tailored packages for customers.

Mr Misto said the company remained grateful to the Muslim community for its loyalty and support over the years.

The National Chief Imam, Sheikh Usmanu Nuhu Sharubutu, expressed appreciation to MTN Ghana for the gesture and offered prayers for the company.

He said the visit had come at a significant time, as Muslims were in the last 10 days of Ramadan.

“Whatever you have asked for, may Allah grant it for you. May Allah elevate you, increase you in His abundance and grant you strength to continue your work,” he said.

He also prayed for peace and harmony in the country, emphasising the importance of unity among different religious groups.

“Here in Ghana, Muslims and Christians are able to sit together and work in unity.

This is something we must continue to uphold,” he stated.

Mobile money fraud concerns

The Senior Commercial Manager of Mobile Money Limited, Abdul-Mageed Rufai, attributed most mobile money fraud cases to social engineering tactics rather than system breaches.

He explained that fraudsters often deceive customers into disclosing sensitive information such as PINs under the guise of promotions or erroneous transfers.

“To date, nobody can say money has vanished from their wallet without their involvement. Fraudsters rely on tricking customers,” he said.

He advised customers not to disclose their mobile money PINs, avoid engaging with suspicious callers and refrain from allowing others to conduct transactions on their behalf.

Mr Rufai added that MTN had introduced a shortcode, 419, for reporting fraud and was intensifying public education through its “Shine Your Eye” campaign across communities.

On the planned SIM re-registration exercise, Mr Rufai described the initiative as a step in the right direction to strengthen the system and curb fraud.

He expressed confidence that improved and innovative processes would be adopted to avoid the challenges experienced during the previous exercise, assuring customers of a more convenient experience.

Source : www.graphic.com.gh

Telecel Ghana has extended its financial literacy and mobile commerce training to Deaf entrepreneurs, as the telecom operator strengthens efforts to ensure digital inclusion and economic participation for under-served communities across Ghana.

The workshop, held at the head office of the Ghana National Association of the Deaf (GNAD) in Accra, delivered entrepreneurship and personal finance training to 97 Deaf and hard-of-hearing traders and artisans, combining business education with merchant onboarding through its mobile financial platform, Telecel Cash.

Participants were taken through sustainable business management principles and financial tech education, after which they were registered for merchant services intended to help them accept digital payments and manage transactions more efficiently.

David Mborkor, the Greater Accra Regional President of GNAD, urged participants to seize the training opportunity to transform their businesses and economic prospects. He also commended Telecel for its commitment to enhancing the livelihoods of its members.

“Telecel is determined to ensure that Deaf-owned businesses are not left behind in the digital transition,” said Mercy Dawn Akude, General Manager of Commercial Operations at Telecel Ghana. “We believe our tailored accessibility support for Deaf entrepreneurs will translate into their stronger participation in Ghana’s digital economy.”

The programme forms part of Telecel’s commitment to inclusion in its service delivery. Since the launch of Telecel SuperCare in 2016, Telecel has provided specialised support for the Deaf community through affordable data packages, accessible communication channels and products designed around accessibility needs.

Under the initiative, Deaf and hard-of-hearing customers can dial *494# to connect with customer service agents, mostly Deaf and sign language professionals, through video and WhatsApp calls.

One of the participants of the training, Owusuaa, a trader in baby diapers and groceries, expressed her sincere appreciation to Telecel Ghana and the facilitators for guiding them through the five key principles for business growth. She also commended Telecel for providing free merchant SIMs and setting up their business accounts, noting that accessing them on their own would have been a significant challenge, given the many constraints Deaf entrepreneurs already face.

The latest workshop builds on a series of inclusion-focused interventions by Telecel Ghana over the past years, including advocacy for wider sign language access in public institutions and digital skills training for Deaf students.

During the 2025 International Week of the Deaf in Saltpond, Central Region, Telecel called for sign language studies to be mainstreamed in schools and public service delivery, arguing that sign language exclusion continues to limit access to healthcare, education and employment for Deaf people across Ghana.

Telecel Ghana also participated in a media advocacy forum last year that called for a national policy to institutionalise sign language interpretation in public information delivery and wider subtitling of television broadcasts.

Through the Telecel Foundation, Deaf students are trained in STEM every year on International Day of Persons with Disabilities to enable them to explore basic artificial intelligence concepts. Telecel Ghana said such initiatives reflect a broader, intentional strategy to integrate accessibility into its business and digital transformation agenda.

According to Ghana’s 2021 Population and Housing Census, more than 211,000 people in the country are Deaf or hard of hearing, while over 470,000 live with varying degrees of hearing loss.

The Brand Finance award comes after MTN Group was inducted into the inaugural Brand Africa Hall of Fame in January.

For the 13th year in a row, MTN has been named South Africa’s most valuable brand by Brand Finance, which assigned the Group a brand value of R50.9 billion in 2026.

“We appreciate this accolade, which encourages us to keep delivering on our purpose of leading digital solutions for Africa’s progress.”

– Ralph Mupita, President and CEO, MTN Group

MTN Group President and CEO Ralph Mupita, added that it came soon after the launch of MTN’s Ambition 2030 strategy, which has a renewed focus on providing the leading customer experience across markets.

MTN serves more than 300 million customers at its mobile operations in 16 countries.

“It also reminds us of the many partners on whom we rely in our work to extend digital and financial inclusion so that no-one is left behind. I would like to thank all of them, and our other stakeholders for their continued support.”

– Ralph Mupita, President and CEO, MTN Group

The Brand Finance award comes after MTN Group was inducted into the inaugural Brand Africa Hall of Fame in January. That honour acknowledged brands that have demonstrated sustained excellence and influence on the continent over the past decade.

Source : www.extensia.tech.com

Ghana will officially unveil its National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy on April 24, 2026, with President John Dramani Mahama set to preside over the launch, following Cabinet approval of the decade-long blueprint designed to reshape the country’s digital economy.

The announcement was made by Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations Samuel Nartey George at a National Stakeholder Engagement on Ghana’s AI Readiness Assessment Methodology (AI-RAM) Report held on March 31, 2026, at the Best Western Premier Hotel in Accra, convened by the Ministry in partnership with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), with funding from the European Union.

The strategy covers the period 2023 to 2033 and was developed with support from Smart Africa, German development agency GIZ FAIR Forward, and The Future Society. It is built around eight pillars covering AI education, youth employment, digital infrastructure, data governance, ecosystem development, sectoral AI adoption, applied research, and public sector deployment, with seven priority sectors identified including healthcare, agriculture, financial services, and energy.

George described the upcoming launch as a turning point. “This marks a decisive step in Ghana’s path towards a responsible, innovative and globally competitive artificial intelligence ecosystem,” he said.

The minister identified four priority implementation areas: strengthening data governance systems, investing in AI research and computing infrastructure, expanding AI education and digital skills, and embedding ethical safeguards in deployment.

Ghana’s mobile penetration currently exceeds 110 percent, with over 38 million mobile subscriptions nationwide, a foundation the minister cited as central to scaling AI-driven services across the country.

A dedicated Responsible AI Office will oversee implementation, ensuring the strategy aligns with ethical standards and national development goals, and will coordinate cross-sector efforts, monitor progress, and manage stakeholder engagement throughout the ten-year programme.

George was unambiguous that government alone cannot drive the transformation. “We need researchers, startups, private sector investment, and civil society,” he said, urging all stakeholders to contribute concrete ideas to guide the strategy’s rollout.

The Minister also linked Ghana’s AI ambitions to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, headquartered in Accra, arguing that AI will be central to driving digital trade and inclusive growth across the continent, and set an ambitious benchmark of scaling solutions from 20,000 people locally to 20 million across Africa.

Ghana currently ranks 72nd globally and 6th in Africa in the Global AI Index 2025, behind Egypt, Mauritius, South Africa, and Tunisia, with the ranking reflecting balanced development across talent, research, infrastructure, and a growing startup ecosystem.

Source : www.newsghana.com.gh

The project marks the first implementation of mmWave extended range technology in the UAE, representing a milestone in the countries’ 5G evolution.

du, the leading telecom and digital services provider, and Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) have successfully completed a proof of concept (PoC) deploying 5G Standalone (SA) using millimeter wave (mmWave) extended range technology in residential areas across the UAE.

The trial leveraged Ericsson’s latest mmWave radio solution, AIR 5343, alongside advanced software features to achieve gigabit speeds across coverage areas, extended capacity for high-demand applications, boosted coverage in residential neighbourhoods, and faster rollout of Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) services. It will enable more households to access du’s high-performance FWA services across residential areas throughout the UAE.

“du continues to bring the latest and most innovative connectivity solutions to our customers. Leveraging mmWave extended range with Ericsson, we are enhancing our Fixed Wireless Access services and reinforcing the UAE’s position as a 5G leader. This proof of concept helps us explore how advanced 5G technologies can improve service delivery, create new customer offerings, and strengthen our role in shaping the UAE’s digital infrastructure.”

– Fahad Al Hassawi, Chief Executive Officer, du

The project marks the first implementation of mmWave extended range technology in the UAE, representing a milestone in the countries’ 5G evolution. The successful PoC builds upon the long-standing partnership between Ericsson and du, with Ericsson serving as a key technology partner in du’s Radio Access Network infrastructure.

“This PoC with du represents a significant advancement for 5G Standalone deployment in the UAE. Together, we are demonstrating how mmWave extended range technology can transform Fixed Wireless Access while showcasing the benefits of enhanced spectrum utilization for both operators and end users. This reflects our ongoing commitment to exploring practical deployments that address real market demand.”

– Petra Schirren, President, Ericsson Gulf

The trial utilized macro deployment architecture to deliver high-capacity, high-performance FWA services, demonstrating the viability of mmWave technology for residential broadband applications in the UAE market. The collaboration supports the UAE’s Vision 2031 by accelerating digital transformation and establishing the foundation for next-generation connectivity services across the nation.

Source : www. techafricanews.com

Huawei and Jazz, Veon Group’s telco subsidiary in Pakistan, announced on Friday that they have deployed solar power systems across 1,000 base station sites nationwide, with a total installed capacity of 13 MW.

The project leverages Huawei’s integrated green site solutions, combining solar power, battery storage, and intelligent energy management to optimize performance across diverse operating conditions.

Huawei senior VP Steven Yi said the solution enables Jazz to transition traditional sites into more efficient, low-carbon infrastructure while improving overall energy availability.

Yi also said the solar-powered sites are expected to generate approximately 11 GWh of clean energy annually, reducing carbon emissions by around 15,000 tons per year.

Apart from the environmental benefits, the project also boosts Jazz’s network reliability, particularly in energy-constrained and underserved areas, enabling more consistent connectivity for customers, said JazzWorld CEO Aamir Ibrahim.

“Expanding solar across our network allows us to reduce our environmental footprint while improving service reliability for our customers,” he said in a statement.

Ibrahim added that Jazz will continue to expand its use of renewable energy across its network as part of its broader commitment to sustainable operations, which also aligns with Veon’s goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

Source : www. developingtelecoms.com

MTN Group has marked a major milestone in its fintech strategy with the successful completion of the structural separation of its mobile money business in Ghana, a move aimed at unlocking growth and aligning with local regulatory requirements.

The transaction, executed through its subsidiary Scancom PLC, became effective on 31 March 2026 following the fulfilment of all conditions and receipt of the necessary regulatory approvals.

The separation was carried out via a statutory merger between MobileMoney LTD, which previously housed the mobile money operations, and MobileMoney Fintech LTD (MMFL), a newly established entity that will now operate the business.

This restructuring forms part of Ghana’s compliance framework under the Payment Systems and Services Act, 2019, which requires the localisation of mobile financial services. It also aligns with MTN’s broader ambition to expand its fintech footprint across Africa.

Importantly, the transaction does not alter the core structure of MTN Ghana’s telecommunications business. The company confirmed that its stated capital and shareholding structure remain unchanged, while it continues to operate its core voice, data, and enterprise services.

Under the new structure, MMFL is jointly owned by MTN Dutch Holdings B.V.—a subsidiary of MTN Group—and the MTN Ghana Fintech Trust. The trust has been established to benefit non-MTN Group shareholders, ensuring continued participation in the value created by the mobile money business.

The separation is widely viewed as a strategic step toward accelerating the growth of MTN’s fintech platform, which has become an increasingly important pillar of the group’s operations. By creating a dedicated entity for mobile money services, MTN aims to enhance operational focus, improve regulatory alignment, and unlock new opportunities for innovation and investment.

MTN said the milestone reflects its commitment to scaling its fintech business more rapidly while maintaining compliance with evolving regulatory frameworks in key markets.

Ghana remains one of MTN’s most significant markets for mobile money, with strong adoption driven by increasing demand for digital financial services. The structural separation is expected to further strengthen the platform’s ability to deliver services such as payments, remittances, and financial inclusion solutions.

For investors, the move provides greater clarity around the group’s fintech operations and reinforces MTN’s long-term strategy of creating distinct value streams within its business. Despite the restructuring, there has been no issuance of new shares, underscoring that the transaction is primarily organisational rather than dilutive.

The completion of the separation also signals MTN’s responsiveness to regulatory developments across the continent, as governments increasingly seek to formalise and localise digital financial ecosystems.

As competition intensifies in Africa’s fintech space, MTN’s ability to ring-fence and scale its mobile money operations could prove critical in maintaining its leadership position. The Ghana transaction may also serve as a blueprint for similar restructuring initiatives in other markets where regulatory pressures and growth opportunities intersect.

With the separation now finalised, MTN is expected to focus on driving innovation, expanding services, and enhancing value creation within its fintech division, positioning it as a key growth engine for the group in the years ahead.

Source : iol.co.za