Smartphone Penetration in Ghana Hits 71.8% – Sam George

National smartphone penetration in Ghana has reached 71.8 per cent as of June 2026, up from 27.5 per cent in 2016, the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Hon. Samuel Nartey George, has disclosed.

He made the disclosure at the Government Accountability Series on September 7, where he briefed the nation on the theme “Connecting Ghana: Investment, Growth and Resilience in Our National Network.”

According to the Minister, government investment and operator rollout are accelerating network coverage and capacity across the country, even though uncoordinated excavation works and grid instability continue to threaten service quality.

He said MTN Ghana is targeting 800 new sites in 2026, the highest annual build in a decade, after delivering 200 additional sites in 2025.

Data presented at the briefing shows MTN’s new site builds have varied over the last decade, rising from 134 sites in 2016 to 383 in 2017, and later dropping to 30 in 2024 and 50 in 2025.

The 2024-25 dip, he explained, reflects a capacity-consolidation phase before renewed acceleration.

The Minister said 2026 will mark MTN’s largest single-year rollout in a decade, combining 500 planned sites with 300 additional builds.

On Telecel Ghana, Mr George disclosed a 60 per cent growth in capital investment between 2023 and 2026 compared to the previous four years.

Capital investment increased from GH¢880 million between 2019 and 2022 to GH¢1.428 billion between 2023 and 2026, driving significant growth in 4G sites.

Despite the gains, the Minister raised concerns over fibre cuts, noting that 8,578 fibre cuts were reported industry-wide in 2024, costing the sector more than US$20 million in repairs.

He said the government is working with operators and stakeholders to protect network infrastructure and sustain the growth in access and digital inclusion.

Click to read more: https://opemsuo.com/author/hajara-fuseini/