Ghana has officially moved to a competitive national bidding process for its 5G mobile spectrum. This decision by Cabinet aims to attract more investment and ensure wider access to new mobile technologies. The Ministry of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations announced the change. This development occurred at a workshop concerning spectrum auction design and pricing in Accra. The event also marked the 15th anniversary of the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications.
Spectrum is essentially the invisible highway for mobile calls and data. Governments manage this resource, similar to how land is managed. Historically, Ghana’s process for allocating spectrum lacked transparency. This led to outcomes that did not maximize money for the state. It also failed to strongly encourage telecom companies to build more networks. In 2015, the National Communications Authority (NCA) set a minimum price of $67.5 million per lot for 800MHz spectrum. This price was too high. Only MTN could afford to buy a single lot. Much of Ghana’s digital spectrum remained unsold.
Ghana’s telecom market reflects these issues. It once had six competing firms. Now, only three remain: MTN, Telecel, and AT Ghana. MTN has significantly increased its market share. It grew from 61% in early 2022 to nearly 79% today. Both the NCA and the Communications Ministry have flagged this high level of dominance as a concern. This situation is part of a broader trend towards market consolidation. A more competitive market is seen as vital for innovation and consumer benefit.
Communications Minister Samuel Nartey George explained the new framework aims to correct these problems. He stated that spectrum allocations will now follow a competitive bidding process. This process is designed for fairness. It seeks to increase value for the state. It also promotes investment in network deployment. This change is part of a 10-year national spectrum strategy from the NCA. Minister George cautioned against auction designs that only focus on short-term money. He noted that such designs can slow investment and hinder service delivery to consumers. This is a direct reference to the 2015 auction experience.
The new system will include a wholesale framework. This will keep multiple access routes open. It allows a wider range of companies to participate. This includes smaller operators and private networks. In February, Cabinet decided to end an exclusive deal for 5G. This opened the door for competitive bidding. The government has a goal for 5G to reach 70% of Ghanaians by 2027. This is an ambitious target. An infrastructure company, NGIC, was previously given a 10-year monopoly on 5G. By mid-2025, NGIC had only finished 16 of its 50 planned sites in Accra and Kumasi. Ending exclusivity and promoting competition is the government’s strategy to speed up 5G rollout.
The government plans to auction 5G spectrum in the 3.5 GHz and 26 GHz bands during 2026. This will allow more companies to enter the market. Designing a successful auction is challenging. Minister George asked industry players for their technical ideas. They are expected to provide input on auction structure, reserve prices, and build-out obligations. These are key factors in determining auction success. He also called for measures to prevent speculation. These measures will ensure spectrum goes to companies with clear plans to build networks. This is especially important for underserved areas. The Acting Director-General of the NCA, Rev. Ing. Edmund Yirenkyi Fianko, emphasized success. He stated that spectrum licensing success is measured by infrastructure built, not just by licenses signed.