Manager for Video and Gaming at MTN Ghana, Yaw Antwi Boadu, has revealed that the company is considering specialised gaming data packages to reduce costs for players and encourage wider participation.
Speaking at the MTN DigiFest 2025 Gaming Focus Group and Closing Session held at the company’s head office, he underscored the crucial role of reliable internet in the gaming ecosystem.
“We are the backbone and without the internet, our customers will not be able to take advantage of eSports. So the next level will be having specialised packages for the gaming society to be able to take advantage of that. It’s something that we will consider internally and meet them in the area that they expect us to be,” he said.
Mr Boadu also stated MTN’s long-term vision for the industry, noting that while others may not yet see its potential, MTN is committed to investing.
“I think maybe the market is not seeing into the future where eSports is going as MTN does. We see the value that we will be able to generate and also the value that we will generate for the community. We are willing to step out to work with the eSports community to ensure that is achieved,” he explained.
He added that some businesses remain hesitant because they focus solely on short-term profit.
“Maybe they are also not seeing the value that eSports brings or presents. For businesses, we look at the bottom line… But for us at MTN, even before they speak to us, we’ve seen ahead, we’ve seen where eSports is going, and we want to be part of it. We don’t need to be convinced to even support the community,” he stated.
On his part, the CEO of the eSports Academy and Vice President of the eSports Association, Maximus Ametorgoh, called for a national eSports policy to guide the industry.
He said the National Sports Authority was now working on one, but more detail was needed.
“In Ghana, we don’t have an eSports plan or policy. The NSA is now working on it. We are also trying to support them in developing an eSports policy for the country. eSports is unique because of its interdisciplinary nature, education, entertainment, and the sport itself. So we need a very detailed policy,” he said.
He pointed to global examples such as Saudi Arabia, which is using gaming to boost tourism and attract investment.
“You have a case study to look out for. You can go there and copy what they have or partner with them and then see how we can also develop our local market,” he advised.
He also corrected the misconceptions about gaming, clarifying that gaming is different from betting.
“For eSports, you don’t pay to win. You have to play the game yourself to be able to win. If you don’t have the skills, you will not win it. This is the electronic version of the traditional games we play. You can be the Chelsea player on the field using your controller,” he explained.
Figures shared at the event showed the scale of Ghana’s gaming industry. Out of a population of 34.7 million, more than 24 million are internet users and 8.8 million engage with gaming platforms. The country already has over one million console owners.
Gaming has now overtaken video-on-demand, e-publishing, and music as Ghana’s leading digital media expenditure. Globally, video games are projected to surpass $500 billion in revenue by 2030, outpacing both movies and music combined.
“The gaming industry is multidisciplinary, and everyone can find a role, from developers, coders, and animators to sound designers, commentators, journalists, content creators, and even cosplayers. This is not just about entertainment. It is about positioning Ghana in a multi-billion-dollar global industry that can generate jobs, nurture talent, and drive innovation,” Mr Ametorgoh said.
President of the eSports Association of Ghana, Kwesi Hayford, emphasised the high cost of data, gaming equipment, and software updates.
“Imagine buying a game for $100 and still having to spend extra on massive updates, sometimes as large as 60GB. We need support from partners like MTN to negotiate with PlayStation and Xbox, and even offer off-peak data packages,” he said.
He also called on gamers to professionalise by forming registered teams, noting that “this is what allows access to sponsorships, scholarships and international tournaments.”
The General Secretary of the Association and Team Manager of PlayProvince, Dabi Diamond, shared her journey from semi-professional gamer to administrator.
She said more women were now entering the industry, not just as players but as managers, organisers, and media professionals.
“Beyond players and tournaments, there’s an entire ecosystem of organisers, shoutcasters, and production teams. Thankfully, many individuals who began as gamers are now stepping into crucial roles behind the scenes,” she said.
She added that this trend is helping diversify the industry while creating new opportunities for women within Ghana’s digital economy.