Ghana Makes Fibre Integration Mandatory in All New Roads

Ghana has taken a significant step toward building a future-ready digital economy after Cabinet approved a landmark policy requiring fibre-optic ducts and access chambers to be incorporated into all new road construction projects nationwide.

Announced by the Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations during the Africa Tech Festival in Cape Town, South Africa, the initiative is being hailed as “transformative” for the country’s digital infrastructure.

“What Ghana’s Cabinet has approved is this: every new road is also going to be a digital road. Contractors will now build fibre chambers alongside roads, eliminating the capital cost of digging for telecom operators and enabling faster, cheaper, and more sustainable network rollout,” the Minister said.

The policy, known as the “Dig Once Policy,” is the result of years of advocacy by the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications. Data from the Chamber shows that around 60 percent of fibre cuts—a major cause of network disruption in Ghana—result from road and construction activities. Between 2021 and the third quarter of 2025, fibre repair costs were projected to reach US$69.3 million, draining industry resources and slowing productivity.

Implementation of the policy is expected to significantly reduce fibre cuts and network downtime, lower broadband deployment and maintenance costs, and accelerate nationwide 5G rollout and digital infrastructure expansion. It will also protect road assets by preventing repeated excavation and enhance internet reliability, affordability, and inclusion.

The move aligns with the Digital Economy Policy (2024) and the National Broadband Strategy, reinforcing Ghana’s commitment to building a connected, innovation-driven economy.

Welcoming the decision, Sylvia Owusu-Ankomah, CEO of the Digital Chamber of Ghana, described the policy as a defining moment for the country’s tech ecosystem.

“This is a bold and visionary step that will shape Ghana’s digital future. By embedding fibre in all new roads, we are laying the foundation for a connected nation—one that leverages digital infrastructure to drive growth, innovation, and opportunity,” she said.

The Chamber has pledged to work closely with the Ministries of Communications, Roads and Highways, and other stakeholders to ensure smooth and efficient implementation.

With this directive, Ghana positions itself as a leader in digital infrastructure in Africa, setting a strong blueprint for other countries aiming to build durable, inclusive, and future-proof digital economies.