One in four Ghanaian firms uses digital tools effectively – World Bank report

A new World Bank report has revealed a paradox at the heart of Ghana’s digital economy. While the majority of firms have access to digital tools, only a small fraction are using them to improve business performance.

According to the World Bank’s Africa Pulse Report (October 2025), 86 per cent of Ghanaian firms with at least five employees have access to one or more digital devices such as mobile phones, computers or internet connectivity.

However, only one in four firms is using these technologies effectively for business operations.

This suggests that although Ghana’s workplaces are filled with digital devices, many are being underutilised. This trend threatens to slow the country’s much-touted digital transformation agenda.

“Adoption and use rates at the firm level are also relatively low. Data from nationally representative surveys in six countries, including Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi and Senegal, show that although 86 per cent of firms have access to one or more digital enablers, only a quarter use these technologies intensively for business functions,” the report stated.

The findings highlight a growing gap between access and application, what experts are calling the “digital usage divide.” Many Ghanaian businesses continue to rely on manual bookkeeping, in-person transactions and paper documentation, even when digital solutions are available to streamline processes and improve efficiency.

The World Bank noted that the challenge is not infrastructure alone, but also digital literacy, skills and trust. Despite strong mobile penetration and widespread 3G coverage, a significant portion of the population lacks the knowledge, motivation or confidence to use digital tools productively.

Across Sub-Saharan Africa, the report found that while 80 per cent of people live in areas covered by 3G networks, only 25 per cent use the internet, and just 20 per cent go online daily. This points to deeper behavioural and structural barriers slowing digital adoption.

The World Bank urged policymakers and business leaders to move beyond access and focus on digital skills development, enterprise support and cybersecurity confidence-building.

The report concludes: “Ghanaian firms don’t need more gadgets; they need to use them smarter. Digital transformation is no longer optional, it is a survival strategy in today’s global economy.”