Digital transformations may unlock billions in income potential for Ghana's economy, according to a GSMA report.
Ghana's digital transformation journey took centre stage at the Digital Africa Summit in Ghana 2025, with the launch of the highly anticipated report, "Driving Digital Transformation of the Economy in Ghana". The comprehensive report, jointly published by the GSMA and the World Bank, provides detailed policy recommendations and economic modelling to accelerate Ghana's digital growth.
The report underscores the importance of addressing specific policy barriers to connect millions more Ghanaians and position the country as West Africa's premier digital hub. Angela Wamola, Head of Africa at GSMA, emphasised that the mobile industry stands ready to partner with the government in making this transformation a reality.
Despite Ghana boasting a near-universal 99% 4G network coverage, a 62% usage gap persists, leaving millions still unconnected, particularly in rural areas. The report suggests that strategic reforms could expand mobile internet adoption to 20.6 million unique users by 2029, up from the current 13.1 million.
One of the key areas the report focuses on is e-government. Improvement in this sector could raise GHS 5.8 billion in tax revenues, according to the report's estimates. In agriculture, digital tools could add GHS 10.5 billion in value, create 190,000 new jobs, and boost smallholder crop yields by 10-20%.
The report also highlights significant untapped potential in Ghana's digital sector. The cost of smartphones equates to 27% of monthly GDP per capita and 76% of monthly GDP per capita for the poorest 40% of the population. Expanded public-private partnerships are called for to scale device financing initiatives like MTN's Design-to-Cost program and Telecel's microfinance schemes.
Infrastructure investment is another crucial aspect. The analysis stresses the need for a clear 5G spectrum roadmap and streamlined rights-of-way processes to cut deployment costs. The mobile industry already contributes 8% of Ghana's GDP (GHS 94 billion). With the right measures in place, digital adoption could reshape Ghana's economy across key sectors, such as agriculture and manufacturing.
The report also praises the removal of the e-levy as an important step forward in Ghana's digital progress. In manufacturing, the adoption of technologies like IoT and AI could generate an additional GHS 15 billion, particularly in gold and cocoa processing.
The complete Digital Transformation as a Catalyst for Ghana's Economic Growth report is available for download, offering a comprehensive guide for Ghana's digital future. By addressing the challenges and embracing the opportunities, Ghana can unlock its digital potential and propel its economy to new heights.
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