The National Communications Authority (NCA) has revoked the exclusive rights granted to Next Gen Infraco Limited (NGIC) to operate Ghana’s wholesale fifth-generation (5G) telecommunications infrastructure, paving the way for greater competition in the country’s emerging 5G market.
The decision, which takes effect from July 15, 2026, removes the licence condition that made NGIC the sole provider of wholesale 5G infrastructure, while allowing the company to retain all its other rights and obligations under its licence, including its spectrum assignment.
The NCA said the amendment was made in the public interest after concluding that Ghana’s telecommunications sector would benefit more from a competitive wholesale 5G market capable of attracting investment, stimulating innovation, improving network resilience and service quality, and expanding access to advanced digital services.
The exclusivity provision formed part of the original regulatory framework established to support the rollout of a national wholesale 5G network and granted NGIC the exclusive right to own and operate wholesale 5G infrastructure across the country.
However, the Authority said developments in the telecommunications industry had necessitated a review of that arrangement.
“The public interest is better served by a competitive wholesale 5G market that promotes investment, innovation, network resilience, service quality and wider access to advanced communications services,” the NCA said in a statement.
The Authority explained that its decision was made under Article 6.1.2 of NGIC’s licence and Section 14 of the Electronic Communications Act, 2008 (Act 775), which empower it to amend licence conditions where necessary in the public interest.
The NCA outlined the regulatory process leading to the amendment, stating that it issued a Notice of Proposed Amendment to NGIC on March 2, 2026, and subsequently met with the company on March 18 to discuss the proposal.
In accordance with the law, NGIC exercised its right to challenge the proposal by submitting a Statement of Objections on April 1, 2026.
The company was later given a further opportunity to present oral arguments before the NCA Governing Board on May 28, 2026.
Following consideration of both the written and oral representations, the Authority said it determined that removing the exclusivity clause was in the broader public interest.
The NCA stressed that the amendment affects only the exclusivity provision and does not invalidate any other aspect of NGIC’s licence.
According to the Authority, NGIC will continue to operate under its existing licence terms and retain its spectrum allocation.
The regulator expressed confidence that opening the wholesale 5G market to competition would accelerate investment in next-generation telecommunications infrastructure, improve service delivery and support Ghana’s digital transformation agenda.
