MTN Group and Telecel are preparing to compete for 5G licences in Ghana after the government revoked the exclusive licence previously granted to Next Gen InfraCo (NGIC) to deploy the country’s 5G network.
According to a Bloomberg report, the auction process is expected to begin within weeks, allowing telecom operators including MTN Ghana, Telecel and state-owned AT Ghana to bid for licences and independently roll out their own 5G infrastructure.
The move marks a significant shift in Ghana’s telecommunications strategy. NGIC had been granted exclusive rights to build and operate a shared wholesale 5G network when the country officially launched its first 5G service in March 2026. The arrangement, originally set to run until 2034, was designed to enable multiple telecom operators to offer 5G services using a single infrastructure provider.
However, delays in deployment prompted the government to reconsider the model.
Commercial rollout, initially planned for 2025, failed to meet key milestones as NGIC completed only a fraction of the required infrastructure in major cities. The government had earlier warned that it could review the agreement if deployment targets were not achieved.
By opening the market to competitive licensing, Ghana aims to accelerate nationwide 5G coverage and strengthen competition among telecom operators.
The government is also expected to auction spectrum in the 3.5 GHz and 26 GHz bands before the end of 2026, creating opportunities for more operators and private networks to participate in expanding digital connectivity.
Ghana has set an ambitious target of achieving 70% population coverage for 5G by 2027. Authorities say the priority is not simply increasing the number of operators but ensuring broader access to high-speed internet, particularly in underserved and rural communities.
The decision reflects a growing trend across African markets where regulators are balancing infrastructure investment with competition to speed up digital transformation.
