**Nigeria's telecom giant MTN makes a $1.1 billion play for Ghana's digital market** MTN, the telecom giant with a strong presence in Nigeria and several other African countries, has announced plans to invest a massive $1.1 billion in its Ghanaian operations over the next three years. This strategic move is aimed at reinforcing the company's dominance in the Ghanaian market, where it currently controls a significant share of the market. MTN's decision to pour $1.1 billion into its Ghanaian operations is a response to the planned merger between Telecel and AT, two of its major competitors in the country. The proposed merger, backed by a government investment of $600 million, could create a strong number-two player with a significant market share. MTN's move is seen as a preemptive strike to widen its lead and make it harder for the merged competitor to catch up. The investment will fund major network upgrades, including the construction of at least 500 new sites by the end of 2026. This is a significant jump from the previous years, when MTN built around 25-30 sites in 2024 and 50 in 2025. The upgrade will not only improve the quality of service for MTN's subscribers but also enable the company to expand its 5G network and improve rural broadband coverage. MTN's Ghanaian CEO, Stephen Blewett, has stated that the company's goal is to deliver better service to its subscribers, but the move is also seen as a way to reinforce its dominance in the market. The company is also working with the Bank of Ghana to tackle mobile money scams and investing in digital skills for young Ghanaians. While MTN's move is focused on the Ghanaian market, it has implications for the wider African telecommunications sector. As the continent's digital economy continues to grow, companies like MTN will need to invest heavily in their infrastructure to stay ahead of the competition. **Fixing Nigeria's broken poultry chain** The Nigerian poultry industry is a significant sector, with the country consuming over 1.5 million tonnes of poultry meat every year. However, local farmers only meet about 30% of this demand, resulting in a significant loss of sales for Nigerian farmers. The reasons for this shortage are complex and layered. High input costs, volatile pricing, and a supply chain that doesn't work for farmers are some of the main challenges facing the industry. Mbanefo Chin