Ghana’s next wave of economic expansion will be powered not by traditional exports, but by the country’s fast-evolving digital economy, according to David Narh, Manager for Digital Growth at MTN Ghana.
He believes the rapid adoption of mobile technology, e-commerce, fintech, and artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping how businesses operate and how value is created across sectors from agriculture and retail to finance and education.
“Digital growth is the new economic frontier,” Mr. Narh said in an interview. “Every sector of Ghana’s economy is being redefined by data, connectivity, and digital solutions. Those who embrace this transformation will lead the next phase of Ghana’s growth story.”
Connectivity as a Catalyst for Economic Expansion
Mr. Narh noted that improved mobile and internet penetration has become one of Ghana’s strongest enablers of inclusive growth. With mobile penetration above 130 percent and internet users exceeding 23 million, digital platforms are now reaching areas traditional infrastructure could not.
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“Connectivity has broken barriers,” he explained. “A small business owner in Bolgatanga can sell products nationwide through social media and receive payments instantly via mobile money. This wasn’t possible ten years ago.”
According to him, MTN’s ongoing network investments including 5G pilot deployments, fiber expansion, and rural connectivity projects are designed to deepen access and reliability, empowering both businesses and consumers.
“Digital access is no longer a luxury. It’s a necessity for productivity, trade, and innovation,” he added.
Driving Youth Entrepreneurship and Jobs
The digital shift, Mr. Narh emphasized, is also driving a surge in youth entrepreneurship and job creation across multiple value chains. From delivery services and online marketing to app development and fintech innovation, thousands of young Ghanaians are now creating livelihoods powered by digital tools.
“Every mobile app, every e-commerce platform, and every content creator adds to Ghana’s digital GDP,” he said. “The beauty of digital growth is that it creates opportunity everywhere from coders in Accra to artisans using WhatsApp to market their crafts.”
He urged policymakers and the private sector to support this trend with targeted skills training, affordable data access, and investment in local tech startups to help them scale.
AI and Fintech Leading the Charge
Commenting on the role of emerging technologies, Mr. Narh said artificial intelligence, data analytics, and fintech solutions are transforming the way businesses understand customers and manage risk.
“Fintech and AI are at the heart of Ghana’s digital growth,” he said. “We’re seeing smarter customer engagement, predictive marketing, automated service delivery, and enhanced financial inclusion through mobile-based credit and savings platforms.”
He added that Ghana’s fintech sector, already home to over 100 licensed firms, is attracting global attention and investor confidence, with potential to rival traditional banking in transaction volumes within the next decade.
Attracting Investors Through Digital Competitiveness
Mr. Narh highlighted that as Ghana’s digital infrastructure matures, investor interest in the technology ecosystem is rising. International firms, he said, are increasingly looking at Ghana as a gateway to West Africa’s digital markets, thanks to a stable regulatory environment and a growing tech-savvy population.
“Investors are watching how Ghana uses digital technology to scale its economy,” he noted. “If we continue expanding infrastructure, building skills, and ensuring affordability, Ghana could become a digital hub for the sub-region.”
He called for stronger public-private partnerships to accelerate the country’s Digital Economy Agenda, stressing that coordinated efforts between government, telecoms, and entrepreneurs will determine how fast Ghana captures the benefits of the global digital transformation.
A Call to Embrace the Future
Mr. Narh described the current period as “a defining decade” for Ghana’s economy.
“The next oil discovery won’t be underground, it will be online,” he said. “Digital growth is the new gold mine. Our responsibility is to make sure every Ghanaian, especially the youth, can mine from it.”
