Ghana recorded the strongest year-on-year improvement in Africa in 2025 across two major global digital benchmarks, following the repeal of its electronic transfer levy (E-Levy) and a shift to technology-neutral spectrum licensing.
The gains were disclosed at the GSMA Ministerial Programme during the ongoing Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, where GSMA Intelligence presented findings from the Digital Nations and Society Index (DNSI) and the Digital Policy and Regulatory Index (DPRI).
According to GSMA Intelligence, Ghana emerged as the highest-improving country in Africa in 2025 under its composite index framework. The country was also among only five African nations to post a composite score above 50%, a threshold associated with relatively advanced and enabling digital ecosystems.
Kalvin Bahia, Senior Director of Economics at GSMA Intelligence, said Ghana’s performance reflected measurable progress in both digital adoption and regulatory effectiveness. The DNSI tracks real-world integration of digital technologies by consumers, businesses and governments, while the DPRI assesses the design, implementation and effectiveness of digital policy frameworks.
Policy changes were central to the improvement
Ghana extended technology neutrality across all telecom operators in 2025, allowing them to refarm spectrum in the 900 MHz, 1800 MHz and 2100 MHz bands for advanced mobile broadband services. The reform improved regulatory flexibility, supported 4G expansion and enhanced competitive parity, according to the GSMA assessment.
The move strengthened Ghana’s DPRI score, particularly in regulatory design and market competitiveness metrics. Separately, the repeal of the E- Levy,removed charges on digital financial transactions. GSMA linked the policy reversal to increased mobile money usage, higher digital transaction volumes and stronger consumer confidence in digital payments.
The removal of the levy boosted Ghana’s DNSI performance, especially in digital financial inclusion and consumer adoption indicators. The Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation said the results demonstrate the impact of regulatory reform and affordability on digital adoption. It added that aligning spectrum policy with market realities has been critical to accelerating network quality and coverage.
