Leading telecommunications company MTN Ghana, Ashesi University and Leti Arts have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to bolster the gaming industry.
It will provide training in gaming and game development for young people, particularly Ashesi students, with some of them expected to undertake internships at Leti Arts to gain practical experience in designing and creating games.
The MoU was signed at the 2026 MTN Digifest Gaming Conference held in Accra as part of activities marking the company’s 30th anniversary.
Digital transformation agenda
The Chief Digital Officer (CDO) of MTN, Ibrahim Mitso, said gaming formed a broader part of MTN’s digital transformation agenda, and explained that the conference was intended to bring together developers, academia, policymakers, investors, the private sector and start-ups to collaborate on developing the gaming ecosystem.
He said the mobile network operator was seeking to take a leading role in the development of the gaming ecosystem rather than being only a participant.
He added that the company had, therefore, used the conference to announce partnerships aimed at building skills and creating opportunities for young people.
The CDO said the partnership with Leti Arts would establish a Gaming Academy to equip young talents and developers with the skills required to develop games.
“We will provide the academy with the skills so that it will create entrepreneurship opportunities for businesses and young talents,” he highlighted.
Mr Mitso disclosed that MTN would provide access to its customer base of more than 31 million people, giving developers opportunities to reach the market and create businesses.
On the partnership with Ashesi University, he said MTN would support the university’s Gaming Hub, which would promote the use of gamification in areas such as agriculture and education.
MTN, Ashesi University and Leti Arts would also work together to develop the curriculum and skills needed to create solutions that could contribute to the digital economy.
Partnership
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Ashesi University, Professor Angela Owusu Ansah, said the partnership would enable the university to expand its gamification lab and strengthen research in gaming facilities by giving researchers access to MTN’s industry expertise and practical skills.
She emphasised that gaming could help players “develop critical-thinking skills”.
Prof. Owusu Ansah said the gaming sector also offered employment opportunities and skill acquisition, and added that game development could be done locally without the need for young people to leave the country in search of greener pastures.
She further urged young people to look beyond conventional areas when seeking ways to contribute to society, saying skills could be applied in different fields to address societal needs.
A tool to showcase African culture
The President of Ashesi University, Patrick Awuah, said the university was excited to work with the private sector as it sought to strengthen its focus on research, innovation and economic opportunities.
He said, “Gaming presented an opportunity to showcase the richness of African culture”.
He stressed the potential to incorporate cultural elements into games through character interactions and product creation, reflecting the diversity of African traditions.
“Some aspects of our culture may no longer be recognised by young people today. Imagine, however, incorporating them into a game where characters interact with one another.
Such a game would capture the full richness of African culture,” Mr Awuah stressed.
He added that gaming could create economic opportunities, while promoting African’s heritage and fostering connections among young people across the continent.
The president also identified artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, robotics and storytelling as areas that could be explored through gaming and technology.
