Minister Sam Nartey George Targets Massive Infrastructure Boost as Ghana’s Smartphone Penetration Hits 71.8%

Ghana has experienced a transformative surge in digital adoption, with smartphone penetration rising from 27.5% in 2016 to 71.8% as of June 2026. Speaking at a Government Accountability Series event, the Minister of Communications, Digitalisation and Innovation, Mr. Sam Nartey George, highlighted how this growth has made mobile connectivity indispensable for everyday life. From business and mobile banking to education and agriculture, Ghanaians are increasingly reliant on digital tools, yet the Minister warned that the physical infrastructure required to support this demand has not kept pace with the rapid adoption of hardware.

Evidence of this infrastructure lag is found in the fluctuating numbers of new network site installations over the past decade. While the sector saw a peak of 352 new sites added in 2019, development has slowed significantly in recent years. The Minister reported that only 30 new network sites were recorded in 2024, with a modest 50 sites projected for 2025. This slowdown has particularly affected rural areas, where connectivity gaps remain a barrier to total digital inclusion. Mr. Nartey George criticized these low figures, emphasizing that the current pace is insufficient to meet the needs of a nation where nearly three-quarters of the population now carry a smartphone.

To bridge this widening gap, the Ministry is aggressively pushing for an expansion of network capacity. A key component of this strategy involves a directive to MTN to increase its planned new sites for 2026 from 500 to 800. Beyond just increasing the number of towers, the government is prioritizing the technological transition from legacy 2G and 3G services to more robust 4G and 5G networks. These upgrades are deemed essential for supporting modern digital applications that require high-speed data, such as e-learning platforms and sophisticated fintech services that are becoming the backbone of the Ghanaian economy.

Closing the disparity between device ownership and network quality remains a top priority for the administration as it seeks to fully leverage the digital economy. By focusing on infrastructure expansion and the deployment of 5G technology, the Ministry aims to ensure that the benefits of the digital revolution are not confined to urban centers. As Ghana moves toward the end of 2026, the success of these infrastructure targets will be critical in determining whether the country can sustain its digital momentum and provide reliable, high-speed access to all citizens, regardless of their location.