MTN, Ashesi and Leti Arts Sign University Game Lab Deal

MTN, Ashesi University, and Accra-based studio Leti Arts have entered a strategic partnership to establish a dedicated game development laboratory on the Ashesi campus. Announced at the MTN Gaming Conference in Accra, the initiative aims to bridge the gap between academic education and industry requirements by providing students with hands-on training on professional game development tools. The primary objective is to ensure graduates possess the technical proficiency to create competitive, world-class games immediately upon entering the workforce.

In addition to the university lab, the conference served as the launchpad for the Leti Arts x MTN Game Challenge, a national program designed to identify and support emerging Ghanaian game developers. This initiative will provide participants with mentorship, funding, and access to MTN’s extensive mobile distribution platform. By facilitating the transition from amateur concepts to sustainable commercial businesses, the program seeks to bolster the local gaming ecosystem and contribute to broader youth employment goals within Ghana’s digital economy.

The conference, which drew over 50 industry stakeholders including tech executives, educators, and cultural leaders, highlighted the growing maturity of the African gaming market. By formalizing these partnerships, the stakeholders intend to institutionalize the development of local talent, moving away from informal skill acquisition toward a structured pipeline of professional game creators. While specific details regarding funding amounts and application criteria for the game challenge remain forthcoming, the collaboration represents a significant effort to scale the Ghanaian gaming sector through institutional support and corporate investment.