Ghana’s telecom giant MTN  and Thrive &Shine, a local tech NGO, partnered to boost tech and innovation in Ghana.

The two companies signed a memorandum of understanding at MTN Ghana's Head Office in Accra on January 29, 2026.

MTN Ghana's Chief Digital Officer signed on behalf of his company, while Yvonne Eyram Dumor-Boakye Manu, Co-Founder of Thrive & Shine, signed for her company.

This strategic partnership aims to fuel tech and innovation evolution in Ghana.

This initiative aligns with MTN Ghana's broader mission to develop young talent and contribute to the digital economy's growth. Thrive & Shine will roll out initiatives to strengthen foundational AI skills, positioning Ghanaian youth to compete in the evolving AI space.

The signing, which marked the beginning of a strategic long-term partnership between the two, saw a dynamic group of young innovators from Thrive & Shine, committed to bridging gaps in AI literacy and driving digital inclusion, undergo intensive mentorship at MTN to enhance their AI skills.

Also known as Thrive&Shine Scholars, the beneficiaries will have renowned AI professionals from MTN  to mentor them.

Speaking after the signing, Yvonne Boakye-Manu (Dumor), Co-Founder of Thrive&Shine, said her company's partnership with MTN brings them closer to their goal of closing the gap for students and others competing on the global AI platform.

She emphasized that AI has been considered an imported program, but this time, they want an AI from Africa for the world. "We don't just want to be consumers; we want to be global players in AI," she said. "That's why we came up with this initiative, and we're glad MTN found us worthy of partnership."

She noted that Ghana's tech industry isn't vibrant because  AI is a relatively new concept, especially in that part of the world.

However, she believes this initiative will boost the ecosystem and make it more vibrant.

She advised young people to take AI seriously, calling it "the way forward". She highlighted STEM education as a crucial foundation for AI, encouraging youth to build strong skills in these areas.

At the signing ceremony, MTN Ghana's Chief Digital Officer, Ibrahim Misto, said the partnership aligns with MTN's goal of using tech for good and expanding AI education in Africa.

He praised Thrive & Shine as a dynamic group of young innovators bridging AI literacy gaps and driving digital inclusion.

Misto emphasized that MTN's support is a strategic, long-term partnership, not just sponsorship.

He said the partnership goes beyond just sponsoring the event to partner with them to give them opportunities, including mentorship and internship.

Thrive & Shine LBG is a nonprofit organization dedicated to unlocking young Africans' potential by removing barriers to STEM education.

They provide financial support, mentorship, career guidance, and a supportive community, leveraging AI and innovative tools to empower STEM students. Their mission is to nurture the next generation of African innovators, equipping them to thrive and lead.

It has sponsored 9 university students through its scholarship program, spread across Ghana's top institutions, including the University of Ghana, University of Development Studies, and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.