Proving the vital role of public-private partnerships (PPPs) advocated in the National AI Strategy, MTN Ghana has committed two million dollars to the Ministry of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation.

The funding is directed towards the “One Million Coders” initiative, a flagship programme designed to equip Ghana’s youth with critical digital skills.

“This investment directly operationalises Pillar 2 of the National AI Strategy: “Empower Youth for AI Jobs of the Future…By training youth in coding and digital literacy, MTN is helping to build the “pool of talent” necessary to sustain a local AI ecosystem,” a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency said on Wednesday.

The statement, jointly signed by Madam Adwoa Wiafe, MTN Ghana’s Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer, and Madam Georgina Asare Fiagbenu, Senior Manager, Corporate Communications, said the contribution followed a commitment by MTN Group’s engagement with the sector Minister, Mr Samuel Nartey George, on the sidelines of the GSMA Mobile World Congress in Barcelona last year. 

The meeting was held between the Minister and MTN Group’s Chief Executive Officer, Ralph Mupita, Vice President (VP) for Ghana, Southern and East Africa, Ebenezer Asante and Stephen  Blewett. 

“Another milestone worthy of mention is MTN’s involvement that extends to the development of a $25 million ICT Hub, which aligns perfectly with Pillar 3, calling for “Deepening Digital Infrastructure” and establishing innovation hubs to support start-ups and researchers,” the statement added.

The Pan African AI Summit (PAAIS) 2026 would return to Ghana for the second time from September 22 to 23, at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra.

It would serve as a forum for high-level interactions, bringing together media, businesses, civil society, around the principles of Ghana’s newly launched National AI Strategy.

Organisers said participation would be free for all delegates as part of measures to ensure the Summit “becomes a true engine for ethical and inclusive AI adoption across the continent.”

“The foundation of the PAAIS initiative stems from Ghana’s ambitious National AI Strategy. Developed by the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation (MoCD) with support from Smart Africa and GIZ FAIR Forward, the strategy envisions Ghana as the “AI Hub” of West Africa by 2033.

“Crucially, the document moves beyond mere technological adoption; it prioritises inclusive growth and improving lives. It recognises that for AI to be truly transformative, it must be ethical and accessible to all – not just the urban elite,” the statement said.

“The strategy explicitly outlines an AI-Powered Society where technology advances the potential of marginalised communities, bridging the gap rather than widening it.”

The summit, among other things, would empower students trained by the “One Million Coders” initiative, and scale the entrepreneur incubating in the new ICT Hubs.