MTN Group and Telecel Group Eye 5G Licenses in Ghana
MTN Group and Telecel Group are gearing up to participate in the upcoming auction for 5G licenses in Ghana. This initiative follows the government’s decision to revoke the exclusive rights previously granted to the government-backed wholesale provider, which had formed a partnership with Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s company.
5G License Auction Set to Begin Soon
In an interview with Bloomberg, MTN Ghana CEO Stephen Blewett and Telecel Group CEO Moe Damsch confirmed that several African wireless operators are poised to enter the bidding process for the 5G licenses, anticipated to commence soon. This auction comes on the heels of the Ghanaian government’s choice to terminate the exclusive concession awarded to Next Generation Infraco (NGIC), which was originally supposed to last until 2034. Radisys Corp., a subsidiary of Ambani-controlled Reliance Industries Ltd., was designated to supply the necessary network infrastructure.
Government’s Commitment to Competition
Communications Minister Sam George, who took office in 2025, has expressed the intention to make the licensing process more competitive. This move is intended to address delays in the implementation of 5G services. While George refrained from providing further comments when approached by Bloomberg, the National Communications Authority announced in March its plans to dismantle the exclusive license. Executive Director Edmund Fianco also declined to provide additional information.
NGIC Faces Challenges in 5G Deployment
In stark contrast, NGIC is grappling with financial constraints, struggling to implement its 5G network. As of March, only 49 sites were operational, falling significantly short of the government’s ambitious goal of establishing 1,200 sites by 2027. Radisys Corp. did not respond to inquiries, and a spokesperson for Reliance Industries declined to comment.
Aiming for Expanded Coverage
Ghana’s strategy aims to achieve 5G coverage for 70% of the population by March 2027, relying on a mix of wholesale and operator-led networks to catch up with its regional counterparts. Experts at GSMA Intelligence have characterized this target as ambitious. If Ghana successfully rolls out commercial 5G services soon, the organization predicts that population coverage could reach 7% by the end of the year, while neighboring countries show higher coverage rates—22% in Nigeria, 38% in Kenya, and over 60% in South Africa.
The Competitive Landscape of the Ghanaian Telecom Market
The necessity for smaller operators to remain competitive within a market largely dominated by Johannesburg-based MTN is critical. Ghana’s telecom landscape serves a population of 35 million, primarily through two major players: MTN, which captures 80% of data subscribers, and Telecel. Recently, Telecel acquired the local operations of Vodafone Group, providing services to subscribers of its financially struggling competitor.
Telecel’s Call for Fair Auction Practices
Telecel’s CEO Moe Damsch emphasized the importance of ensuring that the licensing auction is not merely a contest for the highest bidder. According to Damsch, such an approach could reinforce the existing market power dynamics and stifle a truly competitive environment, which is essential for fostering robust market growth.
