The latest GSMA 2025 Digital Africa Report has revealed that although mobile technology contributes GH¢94 billion to Ghana’s economy, representing about 8% of GDP, millions of people remain unconnected.
This stems from a 62% usage gap, despite 99% of the population living within 4G network coverage.
The report, cited by GhanaWeb Business, outlines how increased digital adoption could transform Ghana’s economy, particularly in critical sectors.
In agriculture, digital tools such as precision farming and market access platforms could add GH¢10.5 billion in value, create 190,000 new jobs, and boost smallholder crop yields by 10–20%.
In manufacturing, the adoption of technologies like IoT and AI could generate an additional GH¢15 billion, particularly in gold and cocoa processing, where Ghana holds strong competitive advantages.
For government services, the report suggested that improved e-government systems could raise GH¢5.8 billion in tax revenues by reducing leakage and enhancing collection efficiency. This would build on the success of mobile money-enabled programmes such as the LEAP social welfare initiative.
However, the report highlights several barriers to Ghana’s digital progress, with device affordability emerging as a major concern. Smartphones cost the equivalent of 27% of monthly GDP per capita, and as much as 76% for the poorest 40% of the population.
The report praised recent reforms, such as the removal of the e-levy, as important steps toward eliminating bottlenecks. It also called for public-private partnerships to scale up device financing initiatives such as MTN’s Design-to-Cost programme and Telecel’s microfinance schemes.
The analysis further stressed the importance of infrastructure investment, recommending a clear 5G spectrum roadmap and streamlined rights-of-way processes to reduce deployment costs.
The Head of Africa at GSMA, Angela Wamola, stated, “Ghana’s RESET agenda provides the perfect framework for digital-led growth. Our report shows that by addressing specific policy barriers, from spectrum allocation to device affordability, we can connect millions more Ghanaians while positioning the country as West Africa’s premier digital hub. The mobile industry stands ready to partner with government to achieve this vision.”
SP/MA
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