Ghana’s efforts to develop a domestic electronics industry will depend on whether local businesses can move beyond assembling imported computers to producing components competitively, as the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), targets local production of 30% of laptop components within three years.
The target presents an opportunity to build a local supplier base, create technical jobs and retain a greater share of technology-related economic activity within the country. However, its commercial value will depend on production costs, access to technology, supplier capacity and demand for locally assembled devices.
UPSA Vice-Chancellor, Professor John Kwaku Mensah Mawutor, announced the target at the launch of the university’s maiden laptop assembly plant in Accra, established in partnership with Chinese technical firm Mind Dey Talent and IT Solutions Limited.
The facility forms part of UPSA’s digital transformation agenda, which seeks to commercialise knowledge, strengthen manufacturing capabilities and equip young people with practical technology skills.
For Ghanaian businesses, the next stage of the initiative could create opportunities to supply components, provide technical services and participate in the wider electronics value chain.
However, assembling laptops and manufacturing their components require different levels of technical expertise, investment and production capacity. Reaching the 30% target would therefore require identifying components that Ghanaian enterprises can produce to the necessary quality standards and at competitive prices.
Local production would also need to make commercial sense. If locally manufactured components cost significantly more than imported alternatives, manufacturers could struggle to compete on price, limiting the potential benefits for consumers and businesses.
Building a reliable domestic supply chain would require investment in specialised equipment, technical training, quality assurance and partnerships with experienced manufacturers. Access to affordable financing could also determine whether local enterprises can acquire the machinery and expertise needed to enter the market.
The commercial demand for locally assembled laptops will be equally important. Schools, universities, government institutions and private businesses could provide potential markets, but purchasing decisions would depend on pricing, reliability, performance, warranties and after-sales support.
Chairman of the UPSA Governing Council, Dr Harry Lawson Kwaku Agbanu, has urged the plant’s management to operate it as a sustainable enterprise focused on quality, affordability and customer satisfaction.
Professor Mawutor said the facility would give students practical experience in laptop assembly, repairs and related technical activities, helping to bridge the gap between academic training and industry requirements.
The training component could support the development of technicians and entrepreneurs in computer maintenance, electronics servicing and other technology-related businesses, although the scale of job creation will depend on how far the operation expands.
The initiative also highlights the potential role of universities in connecting technical education with commercial production. By working with industry partners, educational institutions could help develop the skills and business relationships needed to support local manufacturing.
For Ghana, the wider economic opportunity lies in whether the project can stimulate a network of domestic suppliers rather than remain an isolated assembly operation.
Progress towards the 30% target, the number of Ghanaian businesses supplying components, the cost of local production and the market share achieved by locally assembled laptops will be important indicators of its impact.
Without those developments, the initiative could remain largely dependent on imported parts. With sustained investment, technical capacity and competitive local suppliers, however, it could provide a foundation for deeper participation by Ghanaian businesses in the electronics industry.
