MTN CEO advocates bold digital investment to power economic reset

By Juliet ETEFE ([email protected])

Chief Executive Officer of MTN Ghana, Stephen Blewett, has called on business leaders and policymakers to pursue bold and deliberate investments in digital infrastructure and innovation to support the country’s economic reset agenda.

Mr. Blewett argued that robust digital infrastructure forms the backbone of any modern economy, explaining that countries that prioritise digital investment are better positioned to drive entrepreneurship, expand market access, improve public service delivery, and enhance overall productivity.

To this end, in a keynote address at the 2025 CEO Summit in Accra, Mr. Blewett stressed that embracing digital transformation is not just an option but a necessity to build a more resilient, inclusive, and future-ready economy.

“Our economic reset demands bold digital investment to create the environment where innovation thrives, jobs are created, and growth becomes inclusive and sustainable,” he stated. adding that “We must shift from business as usual to what I call ‘business unusual’ if we are serious about transforming Ghana’s economic future.”

He noted that Ghana, like many countries across the continent, is navigating a period of rapid transformation shaped by global economic shocks and domestic challenges. From inflationary pressures and currency volatility to low technology uptake and regulatory inefficiencies, as such pointed out that the country is at a pivotal moment requiring strategic recalibration.

“The global economy is changing dramatically and rapidly. We are dealing with technological disruption, debt vulnerabilities, and climate change, all of which expose deep structural gaps in our economy. This is why I speak of business unusual. A true economic reset will not come from doing things the old way,” he noted.

Despite the challenges, he expressed optimism about the country’s prospects, especially given its youthful population and the transformative power of technology.

He highlighted that digital tools and connectivity can help level the playing field, unlock innovation, and enable Ghana to leapfrog traditional development pathways.

MTN Ghana’s commitment

In line with his call, he reaffirmed MTN Ghana’s commitment to the country’s digital transformation agenda, disclosing that the company has fulfilled its 2021 pledge to invest US$1 billion in strengthening digital infrastructure and services.

“We have invested the full US$1 billion—and in 2025 alone, we will add another US$240 million. We believe in Ghana, in its potential, and in what the government is doing. That is why we will continue to invest,” he said.

He emphasised that belief, matched with action, is what will allow the country and the continent to lead the next wave of global innovation.

“I used to say the next big innovation could come from Africa. But  I have changed that. It should come from Africa. And it will—if we create the environment and have the belief to make it happen,” he stated.

He also highlighted the importance of mobile financial services, particularly in advancing financial inclusion and supporting digital commerce in underserved communities.

PPP

Public-private collaboration, he stressed, will be crucial in shaping forward-looking ICT policies and creating a regulatory environment that encourages innovation.

The MTN Ghana CEO emphasised that transformation is never a linear process, but that with strategic focus, the country can build an inclusive economic system that creates real opportunities.

He called on the private sector to take collective responsibility in creating jobs, supporting young people, and investing in long-term growth. “We have a responsibility—to our youth, to job creation, and to the future of our country. Let us use every resource, every skill, and every opportunity to build an economic system that allows for growth and innovation,” he stated.

He urged leaders to be flexible, collaborative, and ready to embrace change as “The future will be powered by ideas, by data, by collaboration, and by leadership that embraces change. Together, let us empower Ghana’s digital future—one digital connection at a time”.

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