The Group Chief Executive Officer of MTN Group, Ralph Mupita, has made a strong case for the allocation of 5G spectrum in Ghana, arguing that the move would significantly accelerate the country’s digital transformation and unlock far-reaching benefits for households, enterprises and the broader economy.

Speaking during his first visit to Ghana in 2026, Mupita outlined what he described as the tangible and practical advantages of next-generation connectivity, positioning 5G as a critical enabler of national development in an increasingly digital global economy.

5G as catalyst for home connectivity revolution

At the heart of Mupita’s argument is the transformation of home connectivity.

He noted that more citizens and communities are consuming digital services from their homes than ever before, driven by remote work trends, digital entertainment, e-commerce, and online education.

He explained that Fixed Wireless Access (FWA), powered by a combination of spectrum bands such as 700 MHz and 3,500 MHz, has the capacity to deliver high-speed broadband directly to households in a cost-effective and efficient manner.

This, he said, would enable families to access a wide array of services without the limitations often associated with traditional broadband infrastructure.

From streaming entertainment and accessing government services to running small businesses and participating in virtual classrooms, 5G-powered home broadband could significantly expand digital inclusion.

In his view, 5G is particularly well-suited to helping homes become digitally self-sufficient.

By delivering consistent, high-speed connectivity, it allows households to function as productive digital hubs—supporting entrepreneurship, remote employment, digital learning and access to financial services.

For a country like Ghana, where digital adoption continues to rise rapidly, he believes 5G-enabled home broadband could help bridge connectivity gaps while strengthening socio-economic participation.

Enterprise and industrial applications

Beyond household connectivity, Mupita highlighted the compelling enterprise and industrial use cases for 5G technology.

He pointed to examples from other African markets where 5G has already been deployed successfully, particularly in mining operations in countries such as South Africa and Zambia.

In those markets, MTN has trialled private 5G networks within mines to improve operational efficiency, safety standards and productivity.

Private 5G networks, he explained, allow companies to build dedicated, secure and high-performance connectivity environments tailored to their operational needs.

In mining, for instance, these networks can support automation, real-time monitoring of equipment, predictive maintenance, and enhanced worker safety systems.

Lessons have also been drawn from China, where advanced 5G deployments have transformed logistics operations, port management and industrial processes.

In that environment, ultra-reliable and low-latency connectivity has enabled smart ports, automated cargo handling and more efficient supply chain systems.

Mupita said similar opportunities exist in Ghana across key sectors such as mining, logistics and ports.

The deployment of private 5G networks in these areas presents major business-to-business opportunities, allowing industries to accelerate productivity, reduce operational costs and enhance safety protocols.

For Ghana’s resource-driven economy, he suggested that such technological upgrades could translate into measurable gains in competitiveness and export performance.

Consumer experience and service quality gains

Mupita also referenced markets where 5G has already been commercially launched, citing improvements in connection quality and service consistency.

In Nigeria, for example, the introduction of 5G has led to noticeable enhancements in network performance.

He stressed that for consumers, businesses and the country as a whole, 5G offers meaningful and tangible benefits.

Beyond faster download speeds, it improves network stability and reliability, helping to address quality-of-service challenges that often accompany surging data demand.

As Ghana experiences exponential growth in data consumption—driven by video streaming, fintech applications, cloud services and social media—network capacity requirements are expanding rapidly.

According to Mupita, 5G spectrum availability would provide the technological headroom needed to sustain this growth trajectory.

In this context, he framed 5G not merely as a technological upgrade, but as foundational infrastructure that supports broader social and economic development.

Ghana visit signals deepening commitment

Mupita described his early 2026 visit to Ghana as both symbolic and strategic. Ghana, he said, “feels like home,” underscoring the Group’s longstanding presence and investment footprint in the country.

Beginning the year in Ghana was intentional, he explained, as it allowed him to engage directly with the board, MTN Ghana’s leadership team, regulators and key government stakeholders.

The objective was to reaffirm MTN Group’s long-term commitment to Ghana and align the company’s strategy with the country’s broader development agenda.

During the visit, he paid courtesy calls on officials at the Bank of Ghana and the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, as well as the Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, Sam George.

He described the engagements as constructive and forward-looking, focusing on strengthening collaboration between the private sector and government in advancing Ghana’s digital transformation goals.

In discussions with Minister Sam George, particular attention was given to improving quality of service and exploring opportunities around 5G spectrum allocation.

Mupita reiterated that making 5G spectrum available would empower Ghanaians through enhanced home connectivity, expanded digital access and improved enterprise capabilities.

Positioning MTN as long-term digital partner

Central to Mupita’s message was a re-commitment to Ghana as a key investment destination for MTN Group.

He emphasised the company’s role as a major investor in digital infrastructure and financial inclusion.

As data usage patterns continue to evolve and digital services become integral to daily life, he argued that infrastructure investments must keep pace with demand.

From expanding network capacity to supporting fintech ecosystems, MTN sees itself as a long-term partner in Ghana’s development journey.

By advocating for 5G spectrum availability and considering the strategic reacquisition of infrastructure assets, MTN Group is positioning itself to play a deeper role in shaping Ghana’s digital future.

For Mupita, the message is clear: the next phase of Ghana’s economic transformation will be powered by connectivity.

And with the right regulatory support and strategic investments, 5G could become a cornerstone of that transformation—driving innovation, expanding opportunity and strengthening the country’s competitive position in the digital age.