The Government of Ghana has announced plans to open the country’s 5G spectrum to competitive bidding, effectively ending the current exclusivity arrangement held by a single licensee, according to the Minister for Communications, Innovations, and Digital Technologies, Sam Nartey George.
At present, Next-Gen Infrastructure Company (NGIC) operates as Ghana’s shared neutral infrastructure provider for both 4G and 5G networks. However, the government’s latest policy shift is expected to grant additional telecommunications operators access to the 5G spectrum, enabling them to deploy services directly to their customers and expand connectivity across the country.
Speaking on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, during the launch of the National Communications Authority’s (NCA) 30th anniversary celebrations, the minister explained that the initiative forms part of broader efforts to democratise access to advanced digital infrastructure and accelerate nationwide 5G deployment.
“At the last Cabinet meeting, the government took a bold step towards democratising Ghana’s 5G technology rollout. The decision has been taken to remove the existing exclusivity mandate granted to the sole license holder and instead introduce a market-driven spectrum allocation process through competitive national bidding, thereby facilitating wider 5G network deployment,” he stated.
He further clarified that the new policy direction does not abolish the existing wholesale infrastructure-sharing model but rather expands operational flexibility within the telecommunications ecosystem by providing multiple market participation options for service providers.
According to the minister, the National Communications Authority will receive formal directives from the Ministry of Communications, Innovations, and Digital Technologies in the coming days to initiate preparations for the spectrum auction, which is expected to commence within the next few weeks.
Industry stakeholders have projected that the policy shift will intensify market competition, enhance service quality, and accelerate the adoption of next-generation mobile technologies across Ghana, particularly in underserved and rural communities.
