Persistent power outages could increase the cost of internet and other digital services in Ghana as operators spend more on backup systems to keep critical infrastructure running, the National Information Technology Agency (NITA) has warned.

NITA Board Chairperson Estelle Akofio-Sowah said frequent disruptions to electricity supply were placing additional pressure on data centres, telecommunications infrastructure and other critical digital systems.

She said operators were consequently required to invest in multiple layers of backup power and redundancy, increasing the cost of providing digital services.

“Just this morning we had a fairly major power outage across the country, and that again affects critical infrastructure like data centres where we’re hosting our equipment and our information, our data,” she said.

Akofio-Sowah was speaking on the fourth and final day of National ICT Week 2026.

According to her, operators cannot afford to rely solely on the national power supply because disruptions to critical infrastructure could affect the availability and reliability of digital services.

“You have to have layers and layers of redundancy. All of that puts pressure on affordability and the access that we’re all aspiring to, that every Ghanaian should have affordable access,” she said.

Her comments come amid growing calls for lower data costs, improved network reliability and wider access to affordable digital connectivity.

NITA also disclosed that more than 8,000 fibre cuts have been recorded in Ghana so far this year, further increasing the cost of maintaining telecommunications infrastructure.

The agency identified vandalism among the factors contributing to damage to fibre-optic networks.

Repeated fibre cuts can disrupt internet and telecommunications services and require operators to incur additional costs for repairs, replacement materials and field operations.

The combination of unreliable electricity and damage to fibre infrastructure, NITA said, adds to the challenges facing Ghana as it seeks to expand broadband connectivity and accelerate its digital transformation.

Meanwhile, stakeholders at National ICT Week highlighted the growing economic potential of Ghana’s gaming and Esports industry.

Vice President of the Esports Association Ghana, Maximus Ametorgoh, said about US$121 million was spent in Ghana in 2025 on video game downloads and subscriptions.

“Last year, 121 million dollars were spent on video game downloads and subscriptions in Ghana. That’s a growing sector,” he said.Ametorgoh said the expanding gaming market could create opportunities for young people to earn income by developing and selling digital products, virtual items and other online content.

“You can make a lot of money, and I think that is the next generation when it comes to entertainment,” he said.

Stakeholders at the event urged Ghanaians to move beyond consuming emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and gaming and develop the skills required to become creators, developers and innovators.

National ICT Week 2026 ended with renewed calls for investment in resilient digital infrastructure, reliable electricity and affordable connectivity as Ghana seeks to expand participation in the digital economy.