MTN Ghana Launches Game Developer Contest to Showcase Local Talent and Culture

DigiFest 2026 attracts over 50 entries as 10 shortlisted projects compete for prizes and commercial opportunities

MTN Ghana has launched an initiative to promote local innovation, nurture emerging game developers and showcase Ghanaian culture through digital technology,as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations.

The DigiFest Game Developer Contest 2026 is designed to provide young people and independent developers with a platform to transform their creative ideas into digital games, reach wider audiences and explore opportunities to generate income from their innovations.

The maiden edition, hosted at the College of Engineering of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), attracted more than 50 entries, with 10 projects shortlisted for further assessment.

Speaking at the event, Mr Yaw Antwi Boadu, Manager for Video and Gaming at MTN Ghana, said the initiative was part of efforts to strengthen local capacity in game development and reduce Ghana’s reliance on games produced outside Africa.

He said gaming presented an opportunity for Ghanaian developers to tell their own stories,preserve cultural identity and introduce local experiences to international audiences through interactive digital platforms.

Mr Boadu explained that MTN Ghana was committed to creating an environment where talented young people could develop original games and benefit commercially from their creativity.

He added that the competition was expected to become an annual event, with future editions potentially rotating across different locations to expand participation and encourage innovation nationwide.

10 projects shortlisted for competition

The contest is being implemented in collaboration with KNUST, following an earlier partnership between the two institutions on an artificial intelligence competition.

The shortlisted projects have been divided into two categories: university students and community-based developers, with five entries selected in each category.

The university category features Sankofa, Megamind, Fourcorners, Four Goal Football and The Warehouse.

The community category comprises KONK,African Household Drama, RPS Boxing, Path Puzzle and Akofena.

The top three projects in each category are expected to receive prizes, including a MacBook Pro for the first-place winner, a Galaxy Tab for second place and an iPhone 17 Air for third place.

Beyond the prizes, participants are expected to benefit from mentorship and technical guidance to improve their games and prepare them for possible commercial release.

Mr Boadu noted that gaming could serve purposes beyond entertainment, including the development of interactive digital products to promote public understanding of subjects such as financial literacy and agriculture.
He also clarified that the competition focused on digital game development and was distinct from betting activities.

Gaming presents opportunities for Ghanaian youth

Ms Venus Tawia, Director of Women’s Esports at the Esports Association of Ghana and leader of Queens Africa, a women’s esports community,said greater investment in locally developed games was necessary to help Ghana participate more effectively in the expanding digital economy.

As one of the contest’s judges, she described the initiative as an opportunity for aspiring developers to take their first steps towards creating games that could be tested,refined, published and monetised.

According to Ms Tawia, the gaming industry brings together several creative and technical disciplines, including coding, music, entertainment and digital design, offering young people opportunities to acquire diverse skills.

She expressed encouragement over the cultural elements reflected in several shortlisted projects, particularly their use of Ghanaian languages,local storytelling and experiences drawn from everyday life.

She said such content could help introduce Ghana’s heritage to global audiences through an engaging digital medium.

Ms Tawia therefore called on stakeholders to provide young developers with the skills, resources and opportunities needed to transform their ideas into sustainable digital products.

Contestants commend MTN Ghana
Some participants have welcomed the initiative, describing it as an opportunity for local developers to showcase their creativity,gain exposure and connect with the wider gaming industry.

Clement Asare, an information technology student at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) in Accra,expressed appreciation to MTN Ghana for providing the platform.

Mantey Calib,developer of Akofena,also commended the telecommunications company for supporting local talent and creating opportunities for developers to present their work.

The contest opened on August 24, 2026, and closed on October 19, 2026.

Shortlisted developers were expected to demonstrate and defend their projects before a panel of judges at KNUST.

Entries are being assessed based on user interface and user experience, code quality, creativity, originality, gameplay and potential for further development and commercialisation.

The DigiFest Game Developer Contest 2026 is expected to contribute to Ghana’s digital innovation drive by encouraging locally created content, developing technical and creative skills, and opening new pathways for young people to participate in the global gaming industry.