MTN Ghana’s Chief Digital Officer, Ibrahim Misto, is confident the next technology unicorn will emerge from Ghana— as the country’s digital ecosystem continues to grow with active support from MTN Ghana.
The term unicorn refers to a privately held startup company with a value of over $1 billion.
Speaking at the Africa Tech Festival 2025 in Cape Town, South Africa, Misto said MTN Ghana is deliberately positioning itself as the telco of tomorrow, one that not only connects people but also powers innovation, nurtures startups, and drives inclusive digital growth.
“We believe the next unicorn will come from Ghana,” Misto declared.
“That’s why we are supporting startups and giving them access to our infrastructure to help them scale.”
He said MTN Ghana’s strategy reflects a long-term vision to make Ghana a hub of digital excellence by combining investment in connectivity with deep partnerships across the innovation chain — from government and academia to startups and SMEs.
Building the digital future today
Misto made the remarks during a presentation titled “The Future of Telecoms: Investment Priorities for Growth and Innovation – The Case of Ghana,” and later joined a panel discussion on “Strategic Priorities for the Future of Telco: Partnerships, Investment and Opportunities.”
He explained that MTN Ghana’s digital agenda is not limited to network expansion but is also about building an ecosystem that empowers local talent and fosters collaboration.
“We are not building the future alone,” he said.
“We are doing it in partnership with government, academia, startups, and local innovators in Ghana.”
Misto cited MTN’s Digifest, launched in Ghana in September, as one example of the company’s commitment to local innovation.
The event provided a national platform for developers and innovators to showcase homegrown digital solutions.
Among MTN’s standout initiatives is Chenosis, its API marketplace, which enables startups and enterprises to plug into MTN’s digital infrastructure to build and deploy products faster.
Fueling Ghana’s gaming and content ecosystem
Misto also highlighted MTN’s growing investments in content creation and digital entertainment, describing gaming as one of the emerging pillars of Ghana’s digital economy.
“We are working to lead the gaming ecosystem in Ghana by helping local gaming developers access our customer base easily and quickly, while sharing revenues with them,” he said.
“It’s a win-win strategy that stimulates innovation and economic opportunity.”
He revealed that MTN is preparing to launch MTN TV, a new digital platform that will host a wide range of content — from local series and films to educational programming and streaming services.
“Local content will form a very important part of this platform,” he added.
“We want to expose Ghanaian creativity to millions of viewers and support the growth of our creative economy.”
He noted that MTN’s foray into gaming will focus on educational gaming for both children and adults — games that enhance knowledge, boost cognitive agility, and promote lifelong learning.
Investing for tomorrow
Misto underscored that MTN Ghana’s push toward becoming a digital-first company is built on sustained, heavy investment in infrastructure.
“Like chess, every move we make today is about the next move,” he said.
“In 2021, we invested one billion dollars, and this year alone, $250 million. We are laying the foundation of connectivity for tomorrow.”
He said MTN’s long-term goal is to connect every Ghanaian household with high-speed broadband and complement that with security, entertainment, and productivity solutions.
“We want to touch every aspect of our customers’ digital lives — from home to the workplace, from learning to leisure,” Misto said.
Empowering SMEs and entrepreneurs
Beyond network expansion, Misto emphasised MTN’s commitment to empowering entrepreneurs and small businesses — the backbone of Ghana’s economy.
“We believe SMEs are the heart of the digital economy,” he said.
“That’s why we partnered with Absa Bank and the Nova Business School to train entrepreneurs through mini-MBAs.”
He said initiatives such as MTN SME Accelerate and the Digital Skills Academy are already helping young Ghanaians acquire the tools and skills needed to innovate and succeed.
“A student trained in digital skills today can start his own business and access our infrastructure,” Misto explained.
“We want to make digital inclusion a real, practical experience for every Ghanaian.”
Collaboration for Africa’s digital future
Misto said events like the Africa Tech Festival are vital for advancing Africa’s digital transformation because they bring together policymakers, investors, and innovators to exchange ideas and forge collaborations.
“We can’t do this alone,” he noted. “Platforms like the Africa Tech Festival are critical because they bring the ecosystem together to explore new opportunities. This is where the next wave of African innovation will emerge.”
Africa Tech Festival 2025: A hub of innovation
Now in its 28th edition, the Africa Tech Festival — held from November 11 to 13, 2025, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre — remains the continent’s largest technology and innovation gathering.
This year’s edition brought together over 15,000 global participants, 300 exhibitors, and 450 speakers, uniting four flagship programmes: AfricaCom, AfricaTech, AfricaIgnite, and The AI Summit Cape Town.
The festival’s theme centred on responsible and inclusive growth, highlighting how connectivity, artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, and policy intersect to shape Africa’s digital transformation.
Looking ahead
Misto concluded that MTN Ghana’s digital journey is ultimately about people — empowering Ghanaians to fully participate in the digital economy, fostering innovation, and ensuring no one is left behind.
“Our goal is simple,” he said. “To give every Ghanaian access to a better digital life. We are building today for the Ghana of tomorrow — connected, creative, and confident in its digital future.”
