When Stephen Blewett, the CEO of MTN Ghana, told Lexis Bill on Joy FM that “5G is a long way to go … it’s unfortunate that it’s taken a while for us to get there,” he revealed more than a technical challenge, he exposed a strategic crossroads for Ghana’s digital future.
Across the continent, we talk about digital transformation, fintech revolutions, and even artificial intelligence. But all of it rests on a simple truth: without strong, affordable, and future-ready connectivity, these ambitions remain half-built dreams.
Ghana in the Mirror
Let’s start at home. Ghana has barely one million 5G-capable devices in a country of 30 million people. Many citizens are still on 3G, some even 2G. Meanwhile historical regulatory delays around spectrum and licensing have slowed things down further.
So when MTN says 5G is far off, it’s not just a technical update , it’s a reminder that digital inequality is real, and risks getting worse if we don’t act.
The Pan-African Echo
Ghana is not alone.
- Kenya has seen similar struggles, with device affordability slowing down uptake even as operators prepare for rollout.
- Nigeria rolled out 5G early but faces patchy coverage and low adoption, proving that launch alone isn’t victory.
- South Africa leads the pack, but even there, affordability gaps mean 5G is mostly for the few, not the many.
This is the African paradox: we are building subsea cables, data centres, and regional backbones at record speed, yet the “last mile” into people’s hands lags behind.
Why Waiting Is Not an Option
If Ghana and its neighbours delay, we risk locking ourselves into digital second-class status. Think about it: while the rest of the world experiments with 5G-powered healthcare, smart logistics, and immersive learning, our small businesses and schools could still be stuck buffering on 3G.
And here’s the harder truth, the gap isn’t just technological. It’s about governance, financing, and the willingness to design policies and partnerships that move faster.
Where the Opportunity Lies
But let’s not see this as doom and gloom. A “long way to go” can also mean time to get it right.
- Smarter regulation: Fast, clear, transparent spectrum decisions. No more endless delays.
- Affordable devices: Why can’t telcos, banks, and manufacturers design trade-in schemes or micro-loans to help people upgrade?
- Targeted rollouts: Start with health corridors, universities, and industry parks. Show real value, then scale.
- African collaboration: Why should each country reinvent the wheel? Shared procurement of devices, harmonized policy, and cross-border investment can lower costs for everyone.
A Bigger Conversation
So here’s the real question: do we treat 5G as a luxury for a few cities, or as an essential service that can lift millions?
If we’re serious about Africa’s digital future, then Ghana’s current “long way to go” moment is a chance to spark a continental rethink. We can either wait, or we can lead by showing how to bridge policy, affordability, and innovation in one strategy.
Because the truth is simple: if Africa wants to compete, we can’t afford to keep buffering.
