Category: Spotlight stories

What Africa’s AI workforce debate reveals about the future of digital inclusion

As world leaders gather at the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81), a defining question sits at the centre of Africa’s development agenda: how do we ensure that Africa’s young people are not merely consumers of the technologies shaping the future, but creators, innovators and beneficiaries of the economic value they generate?

This question was at the heart of the UNDP timbuktoo panel, “Skills, Pathways and Jobs: Preparing Africa’s Workforce for the AI Era.” The discussion comes at a pivotal moment. While employers across the world are struggling to find AI, data and digital talent, Africa is home to the world’s youngest population. According to the World Economic Forum, by 2035 more young Africans will enter the workforce each year than in the rest of the world combined. The question is no longer whether Africa has talent. The question is whether Africa can translate that talent into economic competitiveness.

For years, discussions on digital inclusion have focused on connectivity. That focus was necessary, but connectivity alone is no longer enough. Access to networks, devices and digital learning does not automatically translate into economic participation. The next frontier of digital inclusion is not access, but agency.

The real measure of success is not how many people are connected, but how many people can use connectivity to learn, earn, innovate and participate meaningfully in the economy. This requires a fundamental shift from counting users to creating pathways from learning to livelihoods.

That is precisely why the discussion moves beyond digital skills training to focus on the full ecosystem required for economic participation. The future workforce will require specialised capabilities in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud computing, data science and digital engineering. But technical skills alone are insufficient. Young people also need work experience, mentors, networks, access to finance and clear pathways into employment and entrepreneurship. Skills must lead somewhere.

A critical insight from the panel is that Africa’s challenge is not one of talent scarcity, but of system design. Too often, interventions operate in isolation. Training programmes are disconnected from employers. Universities are disconnected from industry demand. Device access is disconnected from skills development. Entrepreneurship support is disconnected from financing and markets. The result is fragmented efforts that improve inputs without changing outcomes.

What Africa needs is a learning-to-earning ecosystem.

This is why partnerships are becoming increasingly important. No single organisation controls the entire pathway from education to economic participation. Governments create enabling policies. Universities develop talent. Technology companies provide platforms and tools. Employers create opportunities. Development institutions provide catalytic funding and scale.

The panel highlighted the importance of partnerships in connecting infrastructure, skills development and innovation ecosystems. Discussions between MTN Group Foundation and UNDP reflect this systems approach. Joining forces brings together MTN’s connectivity, infrastructure, digital platforms, Skills Academy, ICT hubs and device-access programmes with UNDP’s policy expertise, government relationships, the timbuktoo initiative, and the University Innovation Pods (UniPods) network to expand pathways to digital skills, entrepreneurship and economic opportunity for young Africans. Through initiatives such as ICT hubs and device-access programmes, young people can gain access not only to learning opportunities, but also to the infrastructure, mentorship and innovation networks needed to apply their skills in the real world.

Yet even partnerships of this scale will not be enough on their own. The economy enhanced by emerging technologies will be built by ecosystems, not individual organisations. Technology companies must help shape curricula and provide access to tools. Employers must move from consumers of talent to co-creators of talent. Universities must adapt faster to changing labour market needs. Development finance institutions and donors must support the scaling of proven models. Governments must continue creating environments that encourage innovation, investment and inclusive participation.

The discussion also highlights a second reality that is often overlooked in debates about the future workforce: talent needs tools.

Africa’s competitiveness in the AI economy will not be determined solely by the number of people trained. It will depend on whether innovators have access to devices, connectivity, compute infrastructure, data and capital. Talent without tools cannot compete. Tools without talent cannot create value.

Ultimately, the conversation taking place at the UNGA81 is not really about technology. It is about economic competitiveness. The countries that succeed in the AI era will not necessarily be those with the most advanced technologies. They will be those that build the strongest systems for converting human potential into economic value.

Africa already possesses one of the world’s greatest competitive advantages: its people. The future of digital inclusion will not be measured by how many people are online, but by how many can use technology to build businesses, create jobs, solve problems and compete in the global economy. In the AI era, that is an opportunity Africa cannot afford to miss.

MTN One TV is opening new doors for African storytellers, inviting producers from across the continent to pitch bold, authentic and commercially compelling film and culturally relevant projects directly to the platform.

The initiative will come to life through two of Africa’s leading film and television industry platforms: Durban FilmMart, where MTN One TV is a Gold Sponsor, and MIP Africa at FAME Week Africa, where MTN One TV is a Platinum Sponsor.

At both events, selected creators will have the opportunity to pitch their projects directly to MTN One TV and engage with industry leaders, creating a potential pathway for promising African stories to move from concept towards development and wider audiences.

The initiative is also an expression of MTN’s broader Ambition 2030 strategy. Through its Connectivity platform, MTN aims to do more than connect people to networks. It seeks to enable meaningful participation in the digital economy by connecting people to services, platforms and digital experiences that matter in their daily lives.

MTN One TV brings that ambition to life by making relevant African content more accessible, helping African stories reach African audiences, and strengthening the connections between creators, platforms and customers across the continent.

“As digital access expands across the continent, the opportunity for African creators is growing with it,” says Selorm Adadevoh, MTN Group Chief Commercial, Strategy and Transformation Officer. “The next phase of Africa’s digital growth will be shaped not only by access, but by the strength of the content and creative ecosystems built around it.”

The initiative reflects MTN One TV’s broader ambition to support African stories find African audiences by strengthening the connections between creators, platforms, advertisers and audiences.

Through its presence at Durban FilmMart and MIP Africa, MTN One TV is not simply looking for great content it is creating more opportunities for African storytellers to be discovered, develop their ideas and participate meaningfully in the continent’s growing creative economy.

Ready to pitch your story?

African producers and storytellers are invited to apply for the opportunity to pitch to MTN One TV through the respective Durban FilmMart and MIP Africa pitch programmes. Applications must be submitted directly through the relevant conference application process.

MTN Group has announced two internal executive appointments commencing in September 2026, a bid to strengthen its leadership capabilities as the Group firms the execution of its Ambition 20230 strategy.

Ashutosh Tiwary, Operations Executive: Francophone Markets

Tiwary will assume his new role effective, 1 September 2026. He brings more than 27 years of telecommunications leadership experience spanning Africa and India, with a distinguished track record of driving growth, transformation, operational excellence and business turnarounds across diverse and highly competitive markets.

He has held several executive leadership roles within MTN, starting with South Africa as GM: Prepaid Consumer Business where he played a crucial role in stabilising and growing the Prepaid Consumer business. He was later appointed as the Acting CEO of MTN Guinea Bissau where he successfully delivered on the executive mandate of turning around the business and then helping with the portfolio optimisation strategy with the eventual sale of the business.

In his most recent assignment as GM: Customer Operations, he worked with MTN Group Home Broadband Business team building and scaling customer operations through Operational Excellence programmes.

In his new role, Tiwary will serve as a strategic and operational lead for our Francophone markets, supporting the delivery of strategic priorities, driving operational and commercial excellence, strengthening governance and enabling sustainable growth across Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Benin and Congo Brazzaville. Additionally, he will work closely with Opco leadership teams to ensure alignment with Group priorities while supporting high-performance execution across the region.

Tiwary’s extensive leadership experience, deep understanding of African telecom markets and proven ability to drive transformation and performance make him exceptionally well-positioned to support the continued growth and success of our Francophone operations.

Ikenna Ikeme, Executive: Group Regulatory Affairs
Meanwhile, Ikenna Ikeme has been appointed as Executive: Group Regulatory Affairs, effective 7 September 2026.

Ikeme joins the Group regulatory leadership team with more than 30 years of experience across the telecommunications, banking and insurance sectors. He brings extensive expertise in regulatory affairs, public policy, compliance, stakeholder engagement and business transformation, together with a strong track record of navigating complex regulatory environments.

Ikeme currently serves as General Manager: Regulatory Affairs at MTN Nigeria and is recognised as one of Nigeria’s leading telecommunications regulatory professionals. During his career, he has led and supported a range of landmark industry initiatives, including regulatory approvals for spectrum transactions, national roaming arrangements, 5G licensing, infrastructure sharing and mobile virtual network operator partnerships.

He has also played a key role in shaping regulatory frameworks that enable industry growth while safeguarding the interests of consumers and other stakeholders.

In his new role, Ikeme will provide strategic leadership across the MTN Group’s regulatory agenda, working closely with the Group Legal and Regulatory Affairs office and teams across MTN’s markets. His responsibilities will include strengthening regulatory governance, managing regulatory risks, driving policy advocacy, supporting strategic business initiatives, and fostering strong relationships with regulators and key stakeholders.

An accomplished legal and business professional, Ikeme holds an MBA from Enugu State University of Science and Technology. He is a qualified Barrister-at-Law, has completed the Advanced Management Programme at MIT Sloan School of Management, and is a Certified Information Privacy Professional (Europe).

Tiwary’s and Ikeme’s appointments strengthen MTN Group’s operations and regulatory leadership and bring further depth and experience to its efforts to navigate an increasingly dynamic and competitive operational and regulatory landscape across Africa.

MTN Group President and Chief Executive Officer Ralph Mupita on Wednesday met with International Monetary Fund (IMF) First Deputy Managing Director Dan Katz, who is visiting South Africa for meetings with government authorities and representatives of the private sector. Katz was accompanied by his Advisor, Matthew Jones; IMF Mission Chief for South Africa, Delia Velculescu; and IMF Senior Resident Representative and Head of the South Africa Office, Tidiane Kinda.

“Given MTN’s pan-African presence and position, as well as our role in advancing digital and financial inclusion, the discussion centred on the macroeconomic outlook across our key markets of South Africa, Nigeria and Ghana,” said Mupita. “In particular, we discussed the power of the digital economy to drive sustainable growth across the continent.”

The CEO was accompanied by MTN Group Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer Nompilo Morafo, Treasury Executive Thuto Shomang and Chief of Staff Jerry Varachia.

MTN’s purpose is ‘leading digital solutions for Africa’, which guides the execution of our Ambition 2030 strategy to accelerate impact and empower Africans through platforms of choice for consumers, homes and businesses.

“By working with partners from across the globe, we can speed up Africa’s digital transformation. We appreciate the opportunity to engage constructively with the IMF leadership, and look forward to more engagements ahead,” Mupita concluded.

Africa’s digital future will be shaped by the young people who have the opportunity to participate in it. As technology rapidly transforms industries and redefines the future of work, access to digital skills has become more than an education imperative – it’s an economic necessity.

As an organisation leading digital solutions for Africa’s progress, MTN believes expanding access to digital skills is fundamentally about expanding access to opportunity.

World Youth Skills Day, observed annually on 15 July, provides an opportunity to reflect on how digital inclusion, skills development and strategic partnerships are enabling more young Africans to participate meaningfully in the continent’s growing digital economy.

For MTN, investing in digital skills is not simply about preparing young people for the jobs of tomorrow. It is about empowering them to become entrepreneurs, innovators, creators and problem-solvers who will shape Africa’s future and drive sustainable progress across the continent.

“Africa’s future will be shaped by the ambitions and capabilities of its young people. At MTN, we believe that digital skills are the foundation, but opportunity is the true destination,” says Nompilo Morafo, Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer, MTN Group. “Our responsibility is not only to equip youth with future-ready skills, but to help create pathways to employment, entrepreneurship and innovation that enable them to participate meaningfully in Africa’s digital economy.”

Unlocking Africa’s competitive advantage

Africa’s greatest competitive advantage lies in its young and rapidly growing population. Realising this potential requires more than just connectivity or access to technology. Young people require future-ready skills and access to opportunities that enable them to compete globally while driving innovation and growth within their communities.

The urgency is clear. Sub-Saharan Africa’s population is projected to grow by around 150 million people over the next five years. At the same time, the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025 estimates that around 40% of today’s skills are becoming outdated, while approximately 22% of jobs are expected to change by 2030 as technology continues to reshape industries.

Preparing youth for this future demands more than digital literacy. It requires practical, industry-relevant skills that can translate into meaningful employment, entrepreneurship and long-term economic participation.

MTN, through the MTN Skills Academy and a growing portfolio of initiatives across our markets, is helping to build those pathways by connecting learning with opportunity.

Turning ambition into action

Across our markets, this ambition comes to life in different ways. While every community faces unique challenges, the objective remains the same: removing barriers that prevent young people from participating in Africa’s digital economy.

South Sudan

In South Sudan, MTN has partnered with the Ministry of General Education and Instruction, the Ministry of ICT and Postal Services, and the non-profit organisation Educare South Sudan to launch the zero-rated Junub Academy National E-Learning Platform.

Recognised by Educare South Sudan for expanding access to education, the platform enables teachers and learners across the country to access approved educational content without incurring data charges. This helps remove one of the biggest barriers to digital learning while supporting continuity of education in underserved communities.

The initiative is particularly significant given South Sudan’s longstanding infrastructure and education access challenges, demonstrating how digital connectivity can help bridge educational gaps.

Congo Brazzaville

In Congo Brazzaville, MTN has embraced the rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) by investing in young innovators developing solutions to Africa’s unique challenges.

Together with the Giovani & Mamie Foundation and BantuHub, MTN hosted GMU Tech Week 2026 in Pointe-Noire, a week-long programme designed to transform youth potential into future technology leadership.

Over five days, more than 200 participants moved beyond simply learning about emerging technologies. They engaged with industry experts, explored future-focused career opportunities and developed ideas capable of creating meaningful impact within their communities.

Côte d’Ivoire

In Côte d’Ivoire, MTN is demonstrating that digital inclusion must be accessible to everyone.

Through a partnership with the National Institute for the Promotion of the Blind (INIPA), MTN established a Braille multimedia room equipped with adapted computers and assistive technologies.

The facility enables visually impaired students to access educational resources, strengthen their digital capabilities and learn more independently, ensuring that disability is not a barrier to opportunity.

Benin

In Benin, MTN is creating stronger pathways between digital learning and employability through its flagship TITA Digital Skills programme.

Launched by the MTN Foundation in 2022 in partnership with Digital Valley and public universities, the initiative equips students and young graduates with practical, industry-relevant skills in areas including coding, digital entrepreneurship, content creation and innovation.

The programme has already trained more than 1,000 young people, with many graduates securing opportunities across local industries, while others have begun their professional journeys within MTN Benin.

From skills to opportunity

Although these initiatives address different needs, they all contribute to the same vision: enabling young Africans to participate fully in the digital economy by creating inclusive pathways to opportunity.

Whether it is a learner accessing education without connectivity barriers, a visually impaired student gaining digital independence, or an aspiring innovator developing solutions powered by AI, each initiative creates a pathway towards greater opportunity.

Today, the MTN Skills Academy is available across 11 markets and has reached more than 350,000 learners through a growing network of training and ecosystem partners, including ICT hubs.

While building digital skills is an essential first step, the true measure of success lies in what those skills make possible. Skills must lead to employment, entrepreneurship, innovation and economic participation.

As Africa’s leading digital solutions provider, MTN is committed to creating those pathways by connecting digital skills with real opportunity. Because when young people are empowered to participate fully in the digital economy, they do more than build futures for themselves. They help drive Africa’s progress.

MTN’s presence across our markets is shaped by people who are part of the communities we serve – supported by partners rooted in those markets and reflected in the trust of customers and businesses who rely on our services every day.

For us, that presence must be matched by responsible action. It starts with delivering on what we promise: resilient networks, broader access to digital and financial services, and reliable service to our customers. It also means staying aligned with national development priorities, working with local partners, supporting local participation, investing in community impact that can scale, and acting with accountability in each market.

Acting with accountability means doing the work responsibly, meeting our obligations consistently and being clear about the value linked to our role in the countries we serve. In 2025, one measure of that was the R61.1 billion MTN Group contributed  to revenue authorities across our markets, up 16% from 2024.

These contributions form part of the resources that governments use to serve citizens, invest in infrastructure and support economic development. For MTN, they also reflect a responsibility we take seriously: making sure the value linked to our operations is visible and accounted for in the countries we operate.

At R16.9 billion, MTN Ghana accounted for our largest tax contribution in 2025. This was followed by R10.5 billion by MTN Nigeria, R8 billion by MTN Uganda, R6.5 billion by MTN Côte d’Ivoire, R4.8 billion by MTN South Africa and R3.9 billion by MTN Cameroon.

“The taxes we pay to governments across diverse and dynamic markets enables them to serve their citizens – it helps them invest in public infrastructure and services and enhance economic development,” says MTN Group Chief Financial Officer Tsholofelo Molefe in the foreword to the Group’s 2025 Tax Transparency Report.

The 2025 Tax Transparency Report provides the detail behind the Group’s total tax contribution. It extends beyond corporate income tax to include indirect taxes, operating licence fees and levies, payroll taxes, withholding taxes and dividend taxes.

It also gives an overview of the evolving tax environment, outlines MTN’s approach to tax and tax governance, and provides effective tax rates and total tax contribution by market. The numbers are independently assured, giving stakeholders a credible view of the scale and breadth of MTN’s fiscal contribution across Africa.

“This report reaffirms MTN’s dedication to sound tax governance, responsible tax conduct and openness with our stakeholders,” she added.

Across Africa, being part of a community carries meaning. It is shaped by relationships, reciprocity and the understanding that progress is strongest when it is shared. You are known by how you show up, how consistently you serve, how you work with others, and whether your presence strengthens the community around you.

For MTN, this is what it means to be truly rooted in the markets we serve.

In every nation, our role is tied to the progress of the people, businesses, and communities we are part of. We understand that success only carries true meaning when it contributes to collective progress. That is why we build alongside local partners and champion local participation. We also invest for the long term and ensure that the value we create is visible and shared in the countries where we operate.

Read the full MTN Group 2025 reporting suite here

“I am not African because I was born in Africa, but because Africa was born in me.”

This powerful quote from Kwame Nkrumah, the first prime minister of a post-colonial African nation, reminds us of the fundamental cultural connection of being African.

At MTN, we celebrate Africa Day as a pan-African company both born on the continent and one that is inherently African.

We are a diverse group that serves a quarter of a billion customers – from families and friends to communities and business – across this vast continent we call home. We employ 15 000 people, representing 74 different nationalities and ethnicities in 19 markets. Of the 1 730 people who joined MTN and our subsidiaries in 2025, 87% were local – they were employed in the countries from which they originate.

“Our Pan-African roots run deep, and today we are humbled and proud to acknowledge these,” says MTN Group President and CEO Ralph Mupita. “Our continent has enormous potential, and we are committed to helping unlock this through our networks and platforms.”

MTN’s purpose is leading digital solutions for Africa’s progress.

“The unity of Africans is the strongest foundation off which to secure a prosperous future for Africa’s youth, who will represent the world’s largest workforce by 2040,” he says, adding that the continent has much to gain from this demographic dividend.

MTN’s three-decade history is one of significant investment in people, technology and infrastructure. We are humbled to help create opportunities and economic value. In 2025, we generated a massive R150 billion in economic value-added across our continent, where our total tax contribution was R61.1 billion – more than the GDP of some small countries.

Our capital expenditure of R38.5 billion in 2025 reflects the sustained investment in the physical and digital assets that underpin connectivity. Investing at scale helps develop durable national infrastructure, building national digital backbones. Through the distribution of dividends to the shareholders – including pension funds – of MTN Group and our subsidiaries across our markets, we unlock value for millions.

As part of our commitment to being a good corporate citizen, we also make significant corporate social investments. In 2025, these totalled R269 million, benefiting 2.3 million people, most of them youth.

We believe in the power of technology to uplift communities, empowering the next generation of African leaders. We embed local participation across employment, ownership and procurement. This includes investing in skills development and supporting the growth of local businesses, ensuring economic value is retained and multiplied within host economies.

“Our success is irrevocably tied to the progress of the nations we serve. Together, we create jobs, develop local suppliers, build digital skills and support essential services like education, healthcare and infrastructure,” says Mupita, adding that MTN’s listings on the stock markets in Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda and Rwanda are critical levers in MTN’s localisation and value-creation journey.

“We’ve made it our goal to drive digital and financial inclusion, giving the people in the communities we serve dignity, hope and opportunity. Africa needs to chart and champion her own growth. It is up to us all to unlock Africa’s boundless potential.”

Looking ahead, Africa’s future will be defined by what we choose to build together. When Africans act with greater unity, shared purpose and collective resolve, we lay the foundation for the Africa we want: more inclusive, more resilient and more prosperous.

Ours is the youngest continent on earth, and within that youthful energy lies one of our greatest opportunities. If we invest with intent in education, skills, entrepreneurship and meaningful work, we can turn this demographic reality into a lasting dividend for generations to come.

Digital technology will be one of the great catalysts of that future. By connecting more people, expanding access to financial services, education, healthcare and markets, and giving young innovators the tools to solve African challenges with African insight, technology can help unlock progress at scale.

With sustained investment in digital infrastructure, digital skills and trusted platforms, we can help build a continent that is more connected, more competitive, and full of possibility – a confident Africa, shaping its own destiny in the digital age.

We invite you to share your voice here about what Africa means to you. You can also upload a photo to generate a personalised Africa Day image to share. 

MTN Group has announced the appointment of Amitha Chetty as Executive: Legal, effective 1 May 2026.

Amitha brings extensive legal, regulatory and commercial expertise gained across complex and regulated and multinational business environments. She is an admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa and holds a Master of Laws (LLM) degree in Corporate Law.

She has held several senior leadership roles in the banking and financial services sectors, where she played a key role in shaping international strategy, leading multi-jurisdictional regulatory and tax due diligence processes, and advising Boards and executive leadership on complex cross-border matters.

In her new role, Amitha will be responsible for strengthening MTN Group’s legal capability across its markets. Her mandate includes strengthening legal governance across the Group, supporting strategic transactions and initiatives, and driving the implementation of the Group Legal and Regulatory strategy.

Her appointment comes as MTN continues to strengthen governance, operational excellence and sustainable growth across its markets.  

Commenting on the appointment, Lele Modise, MTN Group Chief Executive: Legal and Regulatory, said: “Amitha brings a strong combination of legal expertise, commercial insight and strategic leadership experience. Her deep understanding of complex regulatory environments and governance will further strengthen our legal and regulatory capability as we continue to support the Group’s growth ambitions and uphold the highest standards of integrity and compliance.”

Amitha’s commercial acumen, governance expertise and Board-level experience are expected to further strengthen MTN’s leadership capability within the Group Legal and Regulatory function.

The MTN Group will participate in the Africa CEO Forum 2026, taking place from 14 – 15 May in Kigali, Rwanda. This reaffirms its commitment to shaping a better connected, competitive and inclusive African economy.

As the continent’s leading annual private-sector gathering, the Africa CEO Forum convenes heads of state, ministers, business leaders, investors and development partners to define the policies, investments and partnerships that will drive Africa’s growth. The MTN delegation includes representatives from MTN markets, including Rwanda, will be led by Ebenezer Twum Asante, the Senior Vice President for Markets.

This year’s theme, “Scale or Fail: Why Africa must embrace shared ownership,” underscores the urgency of collaboration to unlock continental progress.

MTN’s participation reflects its role as a pan-African digital infrastructure and platform partner, working across markets and ecosystems alongside governments and institutions to enable scalable, inclusive growth.

“Africa’s next phase of growth will not be achieved through fragmented markets and duplicated infrastructure. It will be built through shared systems, coordinated investment and trusted partnerships between the public and private sectors,” said Nompilo Morafo, MTN Group Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer.

At the Forum, MTN will contribute to critical conversations focused on:

• Shared digital and financial infrastructure as a foundation for affordability, resilience and inclusion
• Policy and regulatory harmonisation to enable cross-border investment and interoperability
• Co-investment and risk-sharing models to unlock long-term capital for Africa’s digital future

MTN’s delegation will participate in high-level panels, bilateral engagements and strategic dialogues with public- and private-sector leaders, reinforcing its position as a long-term partner for impact.

With more than three decades of investment across Africa, MTN brings a practical perspective on moving from ambition to execution – translating policy alignment into networks, platforms and services that expand economic participation at scale.

By participating in the Africa CEO Forum 2026, MTN reaffirms its commitment to building shared digital foundations, advancing regional integration and working with partners to unlock Africa’s next chapter of inclusive and sustainable growth.

Senior Vice President of MTN Group, Ebenezer Asante, has called for a fundamental shift in how organisation’s approach leadership, urging businesses to adopt what he describes as a new ethical architecture anchored on accountability and human dignity.

Delivering the keynote address at the Arganbright Partners Convergence Conference held at the Accra Marriott Hotel, Mr. Asante told participants that the most pressing challenge confronting modern institutions is not profitability, but purpose.

Speaking on the theme “Governance and Ethics in the 21st Century: A Path to Sustainable Value Creation,” he argued that while many organisations continue to prioritise growth and returns, they often overlook the broader implications of their decisions on people and society.

“The central crisis we face today is not a crisis of profit; it is a crisis of orientation. The real question is not simply how much value is created, but for whom that value is created and at what cost to human dignity,” he said.

To address this gap, Mr Asante introduced what he termed the “Senseholder Value Accountability Framework,” a practical guide designed to help organizations recalibrate their ethical compass. He explained that the framework challenges leaders to confront three critical questions: how their organizations are perceived, what blind spots they may be ignoring, and how they respond when placed under pressure.

According to him, these questions are intended to move governance beyond compliance and into a more reflective and values-driven practice. “Ethical leadership must be deliberate. It must be interrogated consistently, especially in moments of uncertainty and strain,” he noted. Mr. Asante further identified greed, power and fame as the primary forces that often drive ethical lapses within institutions. He cautioned business leaders and professionals to remain vigilant, stressing that unchecked ambition can easily erode organizational values and public trust.

“These drivers are subtle but powerful. If they are not managed consciously, they will shape decisions in ways that compromise integrity. Leadership must therefore be anchored on discipline and a clear sense of responsibility to all stakeholders,” he said.

He also called for a more inclusive approach to corporate governance, where employees are empowered to contribute meaningfully to ethical discourse within their organizations. In his

view, fostering an environment where individuals can speak up without fear is critical to building resilient and trustworthy institutions.

“Ethics cannot be imposed from the top alone. It must be lived across all levels of the organisation. Leaders must set the tone through visible action, not just policy, and organizations must be intentionally designed to uphold dignity and create sustained value.”

The conference, organized by the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International, brought together key stakeholders from academia and industry to examine the evolving role of governance in today’s business environment.

Among the dignitaries present were former Rector of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration, Prof Stephen Adei; Chief Executive Officer of Standard Chartered Bank Ghana, Mansa Nettey; and Chief Executive Officer of Chase Petroleum, Kwaku Bediako, alongside other business leaders and management professionals.

Mr Asante was accompanied by MTN Ghana officials including Chief Risk and Compliance Officer, Joseph Dogbe; Acting General Manager for Sustainability and Shared Value, Georgina Asare Fiagbenu; and Manager for Data and Devices, Abdul Latif Issahaku.