MTN Ghana and Telecel Group are preparing to bid for 5G licenses in Ghana following the government's decision to revoke the exclusive rights of wholesale provider Next Gen Infraco (NGIC).
The two mobile network operators plan to participate in a 5G license auction expected to begin within weeks, MTN Ghana CEO Stephen Blewett and Telecel Group CEO Moh Damush told Bloomberg.
The auction follows the government's decision to terminate NGIC's exclusive concession, which had been scheduled to run until 2034.
NGIC, which was intended to serve as a wholesale provider of 5G infrastructure, has struggled to meet its rollout targets. As of March, the company had only 49 operational sites, falling well short of the government's target of 1,200 sites by 2027.
Communications Minister Sam George, who took office in 2025, had previously signalled the government's intention to open the 5G market to greater competition.
Ghana now aims to expand 5G coverage to 70% of the population by March 2027 through a combination of wholesale and operator-led networks, as it seeks to catch up with regional peers.
The mobile market in Ghana is currently dominated by MTN, which accounts for approximately 80% of data subscribers, while Telecel—which acquired Vodafone Group's local operations—serves as the other major operator.
Telecel's Damush emphasised the importance of conducting the auction in a manner that fosters competition. "It's critical for the government to ensure that the auction is not conducted on the basis of the highest bidder.
That will exacerbate the advantages of significant market power and will not foster a proper competitive environment," he said.
The 5G auction is expected to proceed within weeks, with both operators expressing readiness to participate.