Fibre repairs drain millions Ghana needs for digital expansion

Ghana's digital economy faces a financial burden as telecommunications operators spend millions of dollars annually on repairing damaged fibre cables. Between 2021 and 2025, the number of fibre cuts increased from 3,900 to 10,034, costing about $7.5 million to $20 million in repairs each year. Although the number of cuts decreased in 2023 and 2024, they reached over 8,000 in 2025, with repair costs estimated at $20 million.

This issue is expected to continue, with data indicating 4,289 cuts in the first half of 2026, on track to exceed 8,000 annually if no intervention is made. The damage occurs during construction projects, such as road building and utility relocation, which can unintentionally harm underground or aerial fibre networks. The industry has worked with government agencies and contractors to address the problem, suggesting the "Dig Once" principle to incorporate digital infrastructure into new projects.

However, greater accountability is also needed when critical telecommunications infrastructure is destroyed, either intentionally or negligently. As Ghana increasingly relies on connectivity for its economy, protecting fibre infrastructure is crucial to maximizing the return on investments in roads, fibre, and digital infrastructure.