MTN Ghana bets on gaming as next growth frontier

By Eugene Davis

Gaming is emerging as a key pillar in MTN Ghana’s next phase of growth, as the telecoms
operator positions itself to tap into a fast-expanding digital ecosystem driven by mobile
connectivity and a youthful population.
Speaking at a media and stakeholder forum in Accra, chief executive Stephen Blewett said
the company sees gaming as “the next big curve” within its digital portfolio, reflecting
shifting consumer behaviour across Africa where entertainment is increasingly mobile-first.
Across the continent, gaming revenues are climbing steadily, with mobile platforms
dominating usage. In Ghana, the sector is gaining traction, supported by improved internet
access and rising smartphone penetration, while esports and multiplayer gaming
communities continue to grow.
Mr Blewett said MTN’s strategy goes beyond connectivity. The company plans to actively
support local developers by helping them launch and scale gaming products, effectively
building an ecosystem that keeps value within the domestic digital economy.
Digital pivot gathers pace
The push into gaming forms part of MTN’s broader “Ambition 2030” strategy, which seeks
to deepen its presence in digital services beyond traditional voice and data. Digital revenue,
once a marginal contributor, is expanding rapidly alongside strong growth in data and
mobile money services.
By the end of 2025, MTN Ghana reported sharp increases across key segments, with data
and fintech—particularly mobile money—driving revenue, while digital services recorded
the fastest growth, albeit from a lower base.
To sustain this momentum, parent company MTN Group has outlined an accelerated
investment plan of about $1.1bn over the next three years. The funds will be channelled
into network expansion, broadband coverage and service quality improvements—critical
enablers for data-intensive services such as gaming and streaming.
Economic implications
MTN’s pivot highlights a broader shift in Ghana’s digital economy, where value creation is
moving up the stack from infrastructure to content and platforms.
A more developed gaming ecosystem could open up new revenue streams, create jobs in
software development and digital content, and stimulate ancillary industries such as
advertising and esports events. For a country with a young, tech-savvy population, the
sector offers a pathway to harness digital skills and entrepreneurship.

At the same time, increased investment in connectivity is likely to have wider spillover
effects—supporting small businesses, expanding financial inclusion through mobile money,
and improving productivity across sectors.
Outlook
While still nascent, Ghana’s gaming market reflects a convergence of favourable trends:
rising data consumption, improved infrastructure and changing consumer habits. For MTN,
the challenge will be to translate this potential into scalable, locally relevant platforms.
If successful, the strategy could reinforce the company’s role not just as a telecoms
provider, but as a central player in Ghana’s evolving digital economy.