MTN Ghana’s Chief Digital Officer, Ibrahim Misto, has noted that telecommunications companies must transition from traditional connectivity providers to platform-driven enterprises that power data and intelligence systems if Ghana is to fully participate in the emerging artificial intelligence (AI) economy.
Speaking in an interview with Newscenta on the sidelines of the Rethink Africa Intelligence Conference at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), Mr. Misto outlined MTN’s strategic shift towards building what he described as an intelligence layer that leverages data to drive value for consumers and businesses.
“MTN is being positioned as a platform business now, beyond just connectivity, owning the data flows of customers and building trusted data systems,” he said.
According to him, the evolution of telecommunications companies is central to shaping Africa’s intelligence economy, as they increasingly harness data and AI to influence decision-making and service delivery.
“We are building the intelligence layer on top of that to be able to monetise. Telcos today and in the future are evolving beyond connectivity to influence how decisions are made and how they can benefit customers,” he explained.
Mr. Misto further noted that the integration of AI into telecom operations would enable more tailored services for both individual users and enterprises.
“With that intelligence layer, we are able to serve consumers and enterprises better, through personalised services, personalised offers to consumers, and AI as a service to enterprises,” he said.
He stressed, however, that data monetisation must be anchored on trust and strict adherence to privacy standards.
“Monetising data must go hand in hand with maintaining trust and ensuring data privacy. That is critical as we build this ecosystem,” he added.
On the challenge of rising data and energy costs, a key concern raised during the conference, he pointed out that energy remained a fundamental driver of the AI economy.
“The cost of intelligence is the cost of energy,” he stated, explaining that the growing demand for AI-powered data centres would significantly increase energy consumption.
He emphasised that addressing these cost pressures would require coordinated action across multiple sectors.
“This requires collaboration between all stakeholders—regulators, the private sector and the public sector—to ensure sustainable and affordable energy supply to power AI-enabled infrastructure,” he said.
Mr. Misto further called for long-term strategic planning to build a resilient and cost-effective digital ecosystem capable of supporting Africa’s AI ambitions.
“It needs long-term planning and deep collaboration between all players to create the right ecosystem—one that can sustain affordable data and power the AI economy going forward,” he said.
The Rethink Africa Intelligence Conference brought together policymakers, industry leaders and technology experts to explore pathways for building Africa’s intelligence ecosystem, with a strong focus on data sovereignty, infrastructure and innovation.
