MTN Ghana has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with youth-led non-profit Thrive & Shine to support artificial intelligence (AI) literacy and STEM skills development among young people.
The partnership targets students and early-career youth, aiming to build technical skills, problem-solving capacity and exposure to real-world digital work as AI adoption accelerates globally.
Speaking at the signing, MTN Ghana’s Chief Digital Officer, Ibrahim Misto, said the initiative aligns with the company’s long-term digital skills agenda. “This is not a short-term project; it is a journey,” he said. “That is why we have formalised the partnership through an MoU. The goal is to co-create solutions to real-world problems and support institutions like Thrive & Shine that are empowering young people with the skills and knowledge needed to contribute meaningfully to the digital economy.”
Co-Founder of Thrive & Shine, Yvonne Dumor, said the partnership addresses unequal access to opportunity in the tech space. “At Thrive & Shine, we believe that talent is universal, but opportunity is not. Everything we do is driven by the question: how do we bring opportunity closer to the people around us?” she said. “This partnership with MTN moves us a step closer to closing the digital gap for students and young people who are striving to compete in the global AI space. We do not just want to consume AI solutions; we want to be part of the global players shaping them.”
Beneficiaries say the programme is already affecting their academic and career paths.
Michael Darko, a Computer Science student at GIMPA, said financial constraints had previously limited his ability to focus on his studies. “Before this opportunity, financial constraints made it difficult for me to fully focus on my studies and commit to projects. Through the scholarship and support from Thrive & Shine, I can now concentrate on my studies and build real projects,” he said.
Under the agreement, MTN Ghana will offer mentoring, internship placements and practical learning opportunities designed to help participants apply classroom knowledge to real-world use cases.
The initiative forms part of MTN Ghana’s wider efforts to expand digital inclusion and prepare young people for employment and entrepreneurship in an AI-driven economy.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
