MTN, Telecel Prepare for Ghana’s 5G Licence Auction After Government Ends Exclusive Network Deal

MTN Ghana and Telecel Group are set to participate in Ghana’s forthcoming 5G licence auction following the government’s decision to terminate the exclusive rights previously granted to a state-backed wholesale network provider.

According to Bloomberg, the auction is expected to commence within weeks, creating an opportunity for telecom operators to directly acquire 5G spectrum licences and expand next-generation mobile services across the country.

The development follows the Ghanaian government’s move to revoke the exclusive concession awarded to Next Gen Infraco (NGIC), a state-supported entity established to oversee the rollout of 5G infrastructure under a wholesale network model. The concession had been scheduled to remain in force until 2034.

Speaking on the planned auction, MTN Ghana Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Blewett, and Telecel Group Chief Executive Officer, Moh Damush, confirmed that their respective companies intend to submit bids once the process opens.

Under the previous arrangement, NGIC was designated as the sole provider of wholesale 5G infrastructure in Ghana. The company partnered with Radisys Corp., a subsidiary of Reliance Industries Ltd. controlled by Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani, to deploy and manage the country’s 5G network infrastructure.

The government’s decision marks a significant shift in Ghana’s telecommunications strategy, moving away from a single wholesale network framework toward a more competitive licensing structure that allows operators to invest directly in 5G deployment.

For MTN, Ghana remains one of its most important markets in West Africa. Participation in the auction would position the operator to strengthen its foothold in the country’s digital economy as demand for faster connectivity, cloud services and digital applications continues to grow.

The planned auction also comes at a time when several African countries are accelerating 5G deployment efforts to support digital transformation, improve broadband access and attract technology-driven investments.