As Ghana pushes toward a digital leap in 2026, policymakers and industry leaders are increasingly focused on a critical question: how to secure the stable, high-capacity power supply needed to support the country’s growing internet infrastructure.
With internet penetration reaching 70% in 2025 and hundreds of thousands of new users coming online each year, Ghana’s digital transformation is accelerating. The government has prioritised improved digital education this year, while internet providers are planning infrastructure expansions to meet rising demand. At the heart of this expansion are data centres, concentrated in Accra, which already consume several megawatts of power to support mobile operators, banking, cloud services and local enterprises.
However, emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and advanced fintech systems—both of which Ghana aims to integrate—require significantly more energy.
Energy Mix Under Pressure
Ghana’s current electricity supply relies on thermal generation, primarily fuelled by natural gas, accounting for roughly two-thirds of the mix, with hydropower from the Akosombo, Kpong and Bui plants making up the remainder.
While this combination has supported steady economic growth, it is not without vulnerabilities. Hydropower output is dependent on seasonal rainfall, while thermal generation is exposed to global fuel price fluctuations. As electricity demand rises from households, enterprises and the digital sector alike, questions over grid resilience and energy security have become pressing.
Nuclear Option Gains Attention
One solution being explored is nuclear energy, a path already taken by South Africa, where the Koeberg nuclear power plant supplies nearly 2,000 MW as part of the national grid.
According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), a nuclear power unit typically accounts for about 10% of a country’s total power system. Small modular reactors (SMRs) are being considered as a practical entry point for Ghana. With shorter construction times than traditional nuclear plants and the ability to be scaled as demand grows, SMRs could offer a stable alternative to fossil fuels and reduce reliance on weather-dependent hydropower.
International Engagement
Ghana is among a number of African nations—including Kenya, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Zambia and Uganda—that are exploring nuclear technologies for stable power generation. Several international vendors have engaged with African governments in preliminary discussions. France’s EdF, the United States’ NuScale Power, South Korea’s Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, and Russia’s Rosatom have all been involved in feasibility studies, regulatory support and broader energy partnerships across the continent.
While no large-scale SMR deployment has yet taken place in Africa, these engagements signal growing interest in nuclear energy as part of a long-term, low-carbon power mix.
Beyond Internet Connectivity
Proponents argue that nuclear-generated electricity could benefit Ghana beyond the digital sector. A stable nationwide power supply would reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels, while supporting advancements in medicine, agriculture and technical education. Ghana’s literacy rate already exceeds that of many neighbours, and further investment in STEM education—particularly in engineering fields tied to nuclear energy—could strengthen the country’s competitiveness.
With internet providers planning to widen infrastructure and the government emphasising digital education as a growth vector for 2026, Ghana’s existing power capacity is considered a solid foundation. However, stakeholders suggest that achieving a truly flexible, resilient system capable of supporting advanced technologies may require new energy solutions.
As Ghana moves forward, it is expected to draw on international partnerships, regional experience and its own domestic strengths to shape a strategy that balances digital ambition with energy security.
