MTN Targets Africa’s $100bn Gaming Industry

Ghana's MTN Ghana is positioning itself as a key player in Africa's burgeoning gaming and digital entertainment sector. CEO Stephen Blewett highlighted Africa's potential to produce globally competitive games, citing the continent's creative talent and expanding mobile phone usage. Gaming is seen as a major opportunity for Africa's digital economy, with Ghana standing to play a leading role in the creation and export of locally-developed games.

MTN Ghana is focused on establishing an ecosystem where games can be "built in Africa, for Africa", utilizing the country's advanced telecommunications infrastructure, particularly fifth-generation (5G) technology. The rollout of 5G will facilitate high-speed, low-latency connectivity essential for modern gaming and other interactive digital services. MTN Ghana has secured one of Ghana's 5G licenses and aims to deploy the technology for this purpose.

Blewett noted that smartphones are becoming more powerful, and mobile broadband access is growing, making it possible for consumers to access games and digital entertainment through their daily devices. This lowers barriers for consumers and creates new opportunities for developers to reach large markets without relying solely on conventional gaming platforms.

MTN Ghana boasts approximately 31 million subscribers, while the broader MTN Group serves over 300 million customers across 16 African markets. The company intends to leverage its extensive customer base and distribution network to assist local developers in commercializing their products. As the group leader in gaming adoption, MTN Ghana can provide Ghanaian developers access to a substantial domestic market and opportunities to scale successful products across Africa.

MTN Ghana's Chief Digital Officer, Ibrahim Misto, emphasized the company's shift from a traditional telecom provider to a more active participant in Ghana's technology and innovation ecosystem. By becoming an active player in the gaming sector, MTN Ghana aims to capitalize on the continent's creative talent and growing mobile market to drive Africa's $100 billion gaming industry.