Chief Executive Officer of MTN Ghana, Stephen Blewett, has reaffirmed the company’s long-term commitment to Ghana, announcing major investments in network expansion, improved customer experience and future technologies as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations.
Speaking in an interview after the launch of MTN Ghana’s 30th anniversary celebrations in Accra, Blewett said the milestone was not only about commemorating the company’s achievements but also celebrating customers and employees who had contributed to its growth over the years.
It’s about celebrating our customers, our own people who have worked tirelessly to bring us where we are,” he said. “So that’s what this is about — celebrating 30 years together and recognising that we’re part of the fabric of Ghana.”
He acknowledged that one of the biggest challenges over the years has been expanding and maintaining a reliable network across the country while meeting rising customer demand for data and mobile money services.
You have to be able to grow a network, to be able to give more capacity on your network so people can have a better data experience, make sure MoMo is available and people are protected when they do MoMo,” he explained.
According to him, despite economic challenges and the high cost of telecom infrastructure investments, MTN has continued to invest heavily in Ghana’s digital future.
It’s always difficult because when you’re investing in a network, you’re investing in US dollars and you’re getting a local return,” he noted. “But I think MTN over 30 years has proved we believe in Ghana and we will invest in Ghana.”
As part of the company’s next phase of growth, Blewett disclosed that MTN plans to invest US$1.1 billion over the next three years, with US$380 million expected to be spent this year alone.
He revealed that the telecom company intends to roll out 800 new network sites this year, a significant jump from the 50 sites deployed last year.
So that’s really giving more connection, more availability, and focusing on improving the quality of the network,” he stated.
The MTN Ghana CEO also announced a series of customer appreciation activities from June to December, including data rewards, smartphones and vehicle giveaways.
There will be data prizes, phones, vehicles you can win. It’s all to celebrate our customers and to say thank you for being part of MTN,” he said.
Touching on the future of telecommunications, Blewett said technologies such as 5G and artificial intelligence would fundamentally transform the digital landscape over the next decade.
5G is going to become something in the next few years that we’re used to. No one cares about 5G, 4G or 6G — it’s what it does for you,” he said.
He added that AI-driven services could eventually replace the traditional app-based smartphone experience.
With AI, you may get to a point that you only have an AI assistant. You have no apps. The world’s going to change, and we have to go along with that,” he explained.
On fintech, Blewett said mobile money services would continue evolving beyond transfers and cash-outs into areas such as loans, savings and additional financial products.
He also highlighted MTN’s sustainability agenda, noting that the company was investing in renewable energy solutions and greener infrastructure.
A lot of solar, you’ll see it at these offices and at our data centres to bring a green future to the next generation,” he said.
Regarding the anticipated 5G spectrum auction in Ghana, the MTN Ghana CEO assured customers that the company would move quickly to expand 5G access if successful.
We will use the opportunity of 5G to expand it very quickly so that everyone can get the benefit of 5G, beyond just what 5G does on your phone, but what it does for technology in terms of people having access to AI and developing new products,” he said.
“MTN over 30 years has proved we believe in Ghana and we will invest in Ghana.” — Stephen Blewett
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