As of March 2026, Ghana’s 5G network is online in selected cities: the capital, Accra, as well as Kumasi and Tamale. Network operator Next Gen InfraCo holds exclusive rights to provide 5G services in the West African nation and aims to extend coverage to 70% of Ghana’s population of 35 million by 2027.

The 5G network is expected to improve mobile internet speeds significantly and support emerging technologies such as advanced digital intelligence and artificial intelligence (AI). Existing industries, including agriculture, health care and education, are also expected to benefit. By expanding access to critical services and resources, the 5G rollout is expected to gradually ease poverty in Ghana over the coming years.

Here are three ways 5G could reduce poverty in Ghana.

Precision Farming and Agriculture

Edmund Yirenkyi Fianko, director-general of Ghana’s National Communications Authority (NCA), spoke in March 2026 about the new 5G network’s capacity to develop the agricultural industry:

“For 5G, there are use cases for industries. We expect deployments… in agriculture. Services that are not possible today will become possible because of the speeds and high capacity that 5G will deliver.”

5G’s capability to assist agriculture stems from its ability to deliver large quantities of sensor data at high speeds. Farmers will be able to track weather conditions and crop health from Internet of Things (IoT) remote sensors. High-resolution images assessing the condition of fields and crops will be easier to receive.

With 5G, farmers are set to be more resilient to climate change and other volatilities, increasing the stability of Ghana’s internal crop and livestock markets. Food may therefore become cheaper and more accessible, helping rural communities that have typically been vulnerable to famine.

Telemedicine and Health Care

As in agriculture, 5G’s capacity to transfer large quantities of data quickly will have effects on Ghana’s health care system. Health care access in Ghana has traditionally been concentrated in urban areas, including Greater Accra, Kumasi, Tamale and Sekondi-Takoradi, in which 81% of the population has access to primary health care.

However, despite the relatively high rate of primary health care access, 30% of the population must travel far to receive primary health care. In rural and remote areas, quality health care access is far rarer and has been a persistent challenge through shortages of essential medical equipment and supplies, inadequate health care infrastructure and long distances to services.

Through 5G, existing software and digital intelligence will improve, allowing health care professionals to see more patients with greater efficiency. In rural areas, rather than traveling, patients will have access to live remote consultations. High bandwidth, reaching up to 10 Gbps, enhances the quality of telehealth services by allowing the transmission of large medical files and high-definition video.

Role of Education

Education is a critical process in the alleviation of poverty. Ghana’s rural communities have traditionally been affected by unequal education access, falling behind urban areas in both the quality and provision of education.

Although there remain some issues related to the distribution of device access, 5G has the potential to benefit education systems in rural, impoverished areas. 5G will permit real-time video conferencing and collaborative online tools, ensuring that students can access quality education regardless of the remoteness of their location.

Looking Ahead

Through its capacity to process, send and receive data quickly, 5G is set to have an impact on the agriculture, health care and education sectors in Ghana. Rural and remote communities that have typically been excluded from development may gain greater access to critical services, supporting long-term efforts to reduce poverty in Ghana.

– Arthur Horsey

Arthur is based in Hampshire, UK and focuses on Business and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr