MTN Group and Telecel Group are preparing to compete for 5G licences in Ghana after the government moved to end the exclusive rights previously granted to a state-backed wholesale network provider backed by Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s technology venture. According to Bloomberg and MoneyWeb, the licence auction is expected to begin within weeks after Ghana revoked the exclusive concession awarded to Next Gen Infraco (NGIC) before its scheduled expiry in 2034. NGIC had partnered with Radisys, a subsidiary of Reliance Industries, to build the country’s wholesale 5G infrastructure.
The decision follows concerns over the slow rollout of fifth-generation mobile services under the wholesale model. Ghana’s Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, Sam George, has maintained that opening the licensing process to direct competition will accelerate nationwide 5G deployment and improve service quality. MTN Ghana Chief Executive Officer Stephen Blewett confirmed the company intends to participate in the auction, while Telecel Group Chief Executive Officer Moh Damush said the company is also preparing its bid, stressing that the licensing process should promote fair competition rather than simply favour the highest bidder.
The planned auction could significantly reshape Ghana’s telecommunications landscape. MTN currently accounts for about 80% of mobile data subscribers, while Telecel Ghana, formerly Vodafone Ghana, remains its closest competitor after expanding its customer base through national roaming arrangements. The government is targeting 70% 5G population coverage by March 2027 through a combination of operator-led and wholesale networks, replacing the previous single-provider model that struggled to meet rollout targets.
For Ghana’s digital economy, reopening the 5G licensing process marks a strategic shift toward greater competition and faster infrastructure development. News24 says direct participation by major operators could accelerate commercial 5G deployment, attract new investment into the telecommunications sector, improve digital connectivity, and strengthen Ghana’s competitiveness alongside regional technology leaders such as Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa.
