The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, has announced a $2 million contribution from MTN Ghana to support the government’s One Million Coders Programme.

The funding, secured through a private sector partnership, will be used to procure about 2,000 laptops for distribution to selected universities as part of the programme’s national expansion.

Speaking at a laptop presentation ceremony on Friday, 10 April 2026, the minister said government will augment the donation with additional devices to broaden access for students nationwide.

Sam George explained that the initiative, launched by President John Dramani Mahama, was first tested on a smaller scale to evaluate its effectiveness and job placement potential.

He said the pilot phase, which initially aimed to train 500 individuals, recorded overwhelming interest with nearly 94,000 applications, forcing organisers to shut the portal earlier than planned.

Eventually, about 1,000 participants were enrolled, with their outcomes closely monitored to inform the nationwide rollout.

George stressed that the programme is not merely about numbers but about ensuring participants acquire employable digital skills.

He revealed that the expansion phase will include 130 training centres across all 16 regions, each fitted with 50 specialised laptops, contributing to a projected total of about 6,500 devices provided by government.

The minister added that the programme will also be implemented in approximately 12 universities, including the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and the University of Ghana.

He further disclosed that the application portal will be reopened, allowing previous applicants to log in and select courses, while new applicants will go through a verified registration process to reduce fake applications.

Sam George said the government is also working with industry partners to ensure that graduates are connected to job opportunities, including remote work and outsourcing roles.

He assured that the Ministry is committed to implementing the programme effectively to build a strong pipeline of skilled ICT professionals for Ghana’s digital economy.