Ghana’s government has opened the market to competitive applications for mobile broadband and 5G spectrum licences, ending the previous exclusivity held by a single wholesale provider.
The move, announced by the Ministry of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, follows the revocation of exclusive rights granted to Next Gen Infraco (NGIC), the state-backed wholesale 5G operator. Major players including MTN Ghana and Telecel Group have indicated they will participate in the upcoming auction process, expected to begin within weeks.
Communications Minister Samuel Nartey George stated that the competitive national bidding process aims to accelerate network deployment, enhance transparency, and promote investment in digital infrastructure. Spectrum in bands such as 3.5 GHz and 26 GHz is targeted for auction before the end of 2026.
NGIC was awarded a 10-year exclusive licence in 2024 to build and operate a shared wholesale 4G and 5G network in partnership with entities including Radisys (linked to India’s Reliance Industries). Its commercial rollout began in early 2026 after regulatory clearance, but progress lagged significantly behind targets. As of March 2026, the company had deployed only 49 operational 5G sites, far short of the goal of 1,200 sites by 2027.
The government has set an ambitious target of 70% 5G population coverage by March 2027, coinciding with Ghana’s 70th independence anniversary. Officials indicated that a hybrid model combining the existing wholesale infrastructure with operator-led deployments will be used to meet this goal.
The National Communications Authority (NCA) is expected to oversee the licensing process, with emphasis on applicants demonstrating credible rollout plans, particularly for underserved and rural areas.
Ghana’s mobile market is dominated by MTN, which holds a large share of data subscribers, followed by Telecel (formerly Vodafone) and state-owned AT Ghana. The country has been working to expand next-generation services amid regional competition from markets such as Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa, where 5G deployments are more advanced.
The policy shift reflects broader efforts to review spectrum management under a 10-year national framework, moving away from earlier approaches criticised for inefficiencies.
No specific details on application deadlines, reserve prices, or exact spectrum lots have been released publicly. The NCA is anticipated to issue formal guidelines and invitations for applications in the coming period.
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