Ghana has taken a landmark step toward strengthening its digital infrastructure with the Cabinet’s approval of the “Dig Once” policy, which mandates the installation of fibre-optic ducts and access chambers in all new road projects. The policy, unveiled during a high-level session at the Africa Tech Festival in Cape Town by the Minister for Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovations, is expected to cut costs, reduce service disruptions, and accelerate broadband rollout nationwide.
The initiative eliminates the need for telecom operators to repeatedly excavate roads to lay fibre, a common source of network downtime in the country. Sylvia Owusu-Ankomah, CEO of the Digital Chamber of Ghana, described the policy as “a bold and visionary step that will shape Ghana’s digital future,” while the Communications Minister emphasised that “every new road is also going to be a digital road.” Contractors will now construct fibre chambers alongside roads, reducing capital expenditure for telecom operators and enabling faster, more sustainable network deployment.
According to the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications, 60% of fibre cuts in Ghana are caused by road and construction activity. Between 2021 and the third quarter of 2025, the industry projected spending of approximately US$69.3 million on fibre repairs, highlighting the financial and operational burden of repeated road excavations. The “Dig Once” policy is expected to reduce fibre cuts, improve network reliability, and lower both deployment and maintenance costs, which in turn will accelerate 5G rollout and expand the country’s digital infrastructure.
The policy aligns with Ghana’s Digital Economy Policy (2024) and the National Broadband Strategy, reinforcing the country’s goal of building a connected, innovation-driven economy. The Chamber has pledged to work closely with the Ministries of Communications and Roads and Highways to ensure smooth implementation in all future road projects.
Experts say the move positions Ghana as a continental leader in infrastructure-driven digitalisation. By integrating fibre ducts into road construction, Ghana offers a model for other African nations seeking future-proof, sustainable digital infrastructure. Industry analysts note that this approach could also spur private sector investment in broadband networks, as lower infrastructure costs improve the business case for network expansion, particularly in underserved and rural areas.
The Cabinet’s approval comes amid a broader push to digitalise Ghana’s economy, including efforts to enhance smart city development, e-government services, and nationwide broadband coverage. Telecommunications stakeholders have welcomed the move, noting that it could significantly reduce network downtime caused by accidental fibre cuts and construction disruptions.
With the “Dig Once” policy in place, Ghana is expected to see faster broadband deployment, improved network resilience, and greater readiness for emerging technologies, including Internet of Things (IoT) solutions and digital services that rely on robust connectivity. By synchronising road construction with fibre deployment, the country can achieve a synergistic approach to physical and digital infrastructure, potentially serving as a blueprint for sustainable urban and rural development across Africa.
The Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications confirmed that its next steps include engaging contractors, road authorities, and telecom operators to establish clear guidelines for the installation and maintenance of fibre ducts. The collaboration aims to ensure that the policy’s benefits, lower costs, improved reliability, and accelerated digital adoption, are fully realised across the country.
This initiative is a timely response to the challenges faced by Ghana’s telecom industry and represents a strategic alignment of infrastructure and technology policy. By reducing repeated excavation and associated costs, the country not only strengthens its connectivity but also enhances the efficiency and sustainability of road construction projects, creating a dual benefit for both digital and physical infrastructure development.
Ghana’s “Dig Once” policy is expected to significantly enhance the country’s competitiveness in the digital economy, attract international investment, and accelerate the rollout of high-speed networks nationwide, putting the nation on a path to becoming a digital hub in West Africa.
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