Business
Starlink is like any other competitor – MTN Ghana CEO
MTN Ghana’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Stephen Blewett, has stated that the emergence of Starlink in the Ghanaian telecommunications market is not a cause for alarm, describing the satellite internet provider as “like any other competitor.”
Responding to a question at MTN Ghana’s 7th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at the Accra International Conference Centre on Thursday, March 27, 2025, Mr. Blewett acknowledged Starlink’s presence but emphasised that MTN Ghana is already taking steps to maintain its competitive edge.
“Starlink is like any other competitor. We view them as any other competitor, but there are a few things to consider,” he said. “Starlink, in one part, is a potential competitor when it comes to direct-to-devices in the home. So, you saw that we are investing a lot in our fixed wireless and our fiber. That, in some way, is responding to that.”
However, he noted that MTN Ghana also sees opportunities for collaboration with Starlink in certain areas. “But in other areas, we can work with Starlink, where it can become a redundant backup for, for example, international cables.”
While recognising Starlink’s technological capabilities, he pointed out that it is not without limitations. “I saw this poster the other day. Starlink does have physical limitations as well, like any of us do. When there’s harmattan and things like that, these things do influence the performance of what they can do, but obviously, we are responding.”
MTN Ghana’s financial performance and growth
At the AGM, MTN Ghana announced a final dividend payment of 24 pesewas per share, subject to shareholder approval, with disbursement set for April 16, 2025. The company’s total dividend for 2024 stands at 30.5 pesewas per share, translating to GH₵4.0 billion, which represents 80 per cent of the company’s profit after tax of GH₵5.0 billion. This marks a 35.6 per cent increase in dividend per share compared to 2023.
The Board Chairman of MTN Ghana, Ishmael Yamson, attributed this growth to strong strategic execution despite macroeconomic challenges. “As a result of the performance of the company, the Board of Directors is pleased to recommend a final dividend payment of 24 pesewas per share to our shareholders for approval,” he stated.
Mr. Yamson highlighted significant revenue increases across key service areas. “Notably, revenues from Data, Mobile Money, and Digital saw significant growth,” he said.
He further commended the company’s prudent financial management, which enabled it to increase earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) by 31.3 per cent year-on-year. Despite a slight dip in EBITDA margin from 58.4 per cent in 2023 to 57.1 per cent in 2024, MTN Ghana’s profit after tax rose by 26.3 per cent compared to the previous year.
Ghana’s economic landscape and MTN’s operational performance
CEO Stephen Blewett noted that Ghana’s macroeconomic challenges, including high inflation and currency depreciation, had a significant impact on the business environment in 2024.
“By December 2024, the inflation rate had risen to 23.8 per cent, reflecting a notable increase of 2.3 percentage points from the September rate of 21.5 per cent,” he explained. “This surge in inflation was primarily driven by escalating prices across agricultural-related goods and services, compounded by rising energy costs and production costs.”
Despite this, MTN Ghana recorded an impressive 34.5 per cent year-on-year growth in service revenue, exceeding its projected target. This growth was largely driven by increased demand for data, Mobile Money (MoMo), and digital services.
Data revenue surged 53.8% to GH₵9.0 billion, supported by a 13.7 per cent increase in active data subscribers and higher mobile data usage.
Mobile Money revenue grew 54.4 per cent year-on-year, reaching GH₵4.4 billion, with a 12.8 per cent rise in active MoMo users.
Digital services revenue increased 66.1 per cent to GH₵228.2 million, with more customers engaging in video content, gaming subscriptions, and ring-back tones.
However, voice revenue declined by 0.9 per cent to GH₵3.5 billion, reflecting a shift in consumer behaviour toward Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services.
Mr. Blewett reaffirmed the company’s commitment to network investment and expansion, stating that GH₵3.1 billion was invested in network infrastructure in 2024. “This investment encompassed the modernisation of our IT systems, enabling us to handle rising data traffic more efficiently,” he said.
MTN Ghana’s future outlook
With a 6.5 per cent increase in customer base, now reaching 28.5 million, MTN Ghana remains optimistic about its growth prospects.
“Together, we have not only navigated obstacles but have also positioned ourselves for future growth and innovation,” Board Chairman Ishmael Yamson stated. “Your commitment to excellence is truly commendable, and I look forward to building on this success this year.”
With continued investments in 4G expansion, digital services, and mobile financial solutions, MTN Ghana aims to maintain its industry leadership while adapting to an evolving competitive landscape, including the presence of Starlink.
Source: Graphic Online
Business
24-Hour Economy Authority Secures Over $8 Billion in Investment Agreements in 90 Days
The Ghana 24-Hour Economy Authority has announced that it has secured bankable investment agreements worth more than $8 billion within the last 90 days, a development officials say demonstrates growing investor confidence in the government’s flagship 24-Hour Economy initiative.
The disclosure was made by the Chief Export Development Officer of the Ghana 24-Hour Economy Authority, Gabriel Opoku-Asare, during a roundtable discussion on the theme, “Unlocking Africa’s Single Market: How Can Ghanaian Businesses Win Under AfCFTA?” on Channel One TV as part of the Citi Business Festival held on Thursday, June 11, 2026.
According to Mr. Opoku-Asare, the agreements underscore the government’s commitment to attracting private sector investment to drive the implementation of the 24-Hour Economy agenda, rather than relying extensively on public funding.
He explained that the strategy is designed to reduce pressure on the country’s public finances while accelerating industrial growth and the development of strategic economic corridors across Ghana.
“We are enabling private capital in the development of all the projects we are talking about and the economic corridors we are building. Once private capital comes in, our work is coordination and enabling investment, so it is not sitting on sovereign debt. That is very important to ensure permanence in the long term,” he stated.
Mr. Opoku-Asare noted that the Authority is increasingly focusing on facilitating and coordinating private investments instead of directly financing projects with government resources, a move he believes will enhance the long-term sustainability of the programme.
He further emphasised that the signing of investment agreements exceeding $8 billion within a relatively short period highlights strong investor interest and confidence in the direction of the 24-Hour Economy programme.
“I’ve spoken about, in the last 90 days, all the bankable agreements that we’ve signed already, which is like over $8 billion,” he added.
Business
BoG Halts Proposed Charges on MoMo-to-Bank Transfers
The Bank of Ghana has directed Mobile Money Fintech Limited to suspend its planned 0.75 per cent charge on direct mobile money wallet-to-bank account transfers.
The proposed fee, which was expected to take effect from June 1, 2026, has been put on hold to allow for further stakeholder consultations, the central bank announced on Tuesday, May 26.
The directive follows a notice issued by MTN Ghana on Monday, May 25, informing customers that transfers from MoMo wallets to bank accounts would attract a 0.75 per cent fee per transaction, capped at GH₵5.
Under the proposed arrangement, customers would have been charged even when transferring funds from their own registered MoMo wallet to their personal bank account — a service that has so far been offered free of charge.
In a statement, the Bank of Ghana explained that the suspension forms part of efforts to ensure that any adjustments to charges within the mobile financial services space are implemented in a fair and transparent manner, while safeguarding consumer interests and financial well-being.
For the time being, customers will continue to enjoy free transfers from MoMo wallets to bank accounts, as the proposed charges remain suspended.
The central bank further clarified that existing charges on MoMo wallet-to-wallet transfers, as well as cash-in and cash-out transactions at agent points, remain unchanged.
MTN Ghana is yet to officially respond to the Bank of Ghana’s directive.
Business
MTN Ghana Introduces Charges on MoMo-to-Bank Transfers from June 1
MTN Ghana has announced that Mobile Money users will begin paying charges for transfers from their MoMo wallets to bank accounts effective June 1, 2026, ending years of free transfers for customers moving funds between their own accounts.
In a text message sent to subscribers on Monday evening, May 25, the telecommunications company disclosed that all MoMo-to-bank transfers will now attract a fee of 0.75 per cent per transaction, capped at GH₵5.
Under the new pricing structure, customers transferring GH₵100 from their MoMo wallet to a bank account will pay 75 pesewas, while transfers of GH₵667 and above will attract the maximum charge of GH₵5.
The fee will apply to all bank transfers, including transactions involving bank accounts belonging to the same individual who owns the MoMo wallet. Previously, MTN customers enjoyed free transfers when moving funds between their personally registered MoMo wallets and bank accounts.
According to the company, the move forms part of efforts to improve service delivery to its growing customer base.
“From 1 June 2026, transfers from your MoMo Wallet to bank accounts will attract a fee of 0.75% per transaction, capped at GH₵5. This will help us continue to serve you better. Thank you for choosing MoMo,” the message to customers stated.
The development marks a significant change in MTN Ghana’s mobile financial service charges, particularly for customers who frequently transfer money from MoMo wallets into bank accounts for business and personal transactions.
However, the company clarified that the new charge applies only to transfers from MoMo wallets to bank accounts. Existing charges for MoMo-to-MoMo transfers, as well as cash-in and cash-out transactions at agent points, remain unchanged.
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