News Guide Africa

Tag: National Communications Authority (NCA)

  • Ghana targets 70% 5G coverage by 2027 as industry leaders push for inclusive mobile credit

    Ghana targets 70% 5G coverage by 2027 as industry leaders push for inclusive mobile credit

    By Adnan Adams Mohammed

    Ghana is accelerating its journey toward becoming a fully digitized economy, with the government setting an ambitious target to achieve 70% 5G population coverage by March 6, 2027.

    This technological leap is being matched by calls from the private sector to reform digital financial services, ensuring that the next generation of connectivity translates into tangible economic relief for the average Ghanaian.

    The Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation has outlined a bold roadmap to transition the country from 4G dominance to high-speed 5G infrastructure. The March 2027 deadline, strategically set to coincide with Ghana’s 70th Independence Anniversary, aims to place the nation at the forefront of the Fourth Industrial Revolution in West Africa.

    “5G is not just about faster internet for social media; it is about the backbone of our digital economy,” a senior official from the National Communications Authority (NCA) noted. “To reach 70% coverage in less than a year and a half is a massive undertaking, but it is necessary if we want to support telemedicine, smart agriculture, and a more efficient public sector.”

    The rollout is expected to be driven by the newly licensed shared infrastructure companies, which are tasked with reducing the capital expenditure for traditional Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), thereby speeding up deployment to peri-urban and rural areas.

    Moving beyond connectivity: The case for digital credit

    While the government focuses on the “pipes” of the digital economy, industry leaders are focusing on the “flow” of capital through those pipes.

    Speaking at a recent financial technology forum, the Managing Director of Telecel Cash, Philip Amoateng, urged a significant shift in how digital credit systems are managed in Ghana. He argued that connectivity alone isn’t enough; the financial systems built on top of it must be more supportive of the consumer.

    “We need to move towards digital credit systems that are not just transactional, but truly supportive of the user’s financial journey,” Amoateng stated. “The current high-interest, short-term lending models often create a cycle of debt. We should be leveraging data and 5G connectivity to build more sophisticated credit-scoring models that offer fairer rates and longer repayment periods.”

    Amoateng highlighted that as 5G expands, the ability to process real-time data will allow mobile money providers to better understand consumer behavior, leading to more “empathetic” financial products. “The goal is to move from ‘predatory’ to ‘productive’ credit,” he added.

    Bridging the gap

    The synergy between 5G expansion and improved digital credit is seen as the ultimate solution to Ghana’s financial inclusion challenges. Currently, while many Ghanaians have mobile money accounts, a significant portion remains “credit-starved” or reliant on informal, high-interest lenders.

    “If we have 70% 5G coverage, we have the speed to run AI-driven credit platforms,” said Dr. Elias Preko, a digital economist. “But as Telecel’s MD rightly pointed out, the policy framework must ensure these platforms support the worker. If we get this right, a farmer in a rural area can access an affordable loan via 5G in seconds to buy fertilizer. That is true digital transformation.”

    Industry skepticism and hope

    Despite the optimism, some sector players remain wary of the aggressive 5G timeline, citing the high cost of compatible devices for the average citizen.

    “The infrastructure might be there by 2027, but if the 5G handsets are too expensive, the coverage statistics won’t mean much for the ordinary Ghanaian,” warned a tech analyst at the forum.

    However, with the government’s commitment to the March 2027 goal and the private sector’s push for more inclusive financial tools, Ghana appears to be doubling down on its digital bet. The coming months will be a litmus test for whether the “Gold Coast” can successfully transform into a “Digital Hub” that delivers both high-speed data and high-value financial dignity to its citizens.

     

     

     

  • Cabinet orders “Complete Reset” of SIM registration; greenlights competitive 5G auction

    Cabinet orders “Complete Reset” of SIM registration; greenlights competitive 5G auction

    By Adnan Adams Mohammed

    In a major overhaul of Ghana’s digital landscape, the Minister for Communications, Samuel Nartey George, has announced that Cabinet has approved a brand-new national SIM registration exercise.

    The move, described as a “complete reset” rather than a continuation of previous efforts, aims to address deep-seated vulnerabilities in the country’s telecommunications security framework.

    A Shift from the 2021 Framework

    The Minister disclosed the decision during high-level consultations with the National Communications Authority (NCA) and the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications.

    According to Mr. George, an extensive review of the 2021 registration drive revealed critical failures that necessitated a fresh start. These challenges included:

    ● Weak Biometric Enforcement: Loopholes that allowed for non-compliant registrations.

    ● Data Inconsistencies: Discrepancies between telco databases and national identification records.

    ● Registration Fraud: Rise in pre-registered SIM cards used for criminal activities.

    “The new approach will not be a continuation of the previous system but a complete reset aimed at restoring credibility and strengthening security,” the Minister emphasized.

    The New Security Architecture

    To prevent a recurrence of past issues, the government is introducing several robust technical measures:

    ● Centralized Data Repository: The NCA will now serve as the primary host for all SIM registration data.

    ● Mandatory Biometrics: Strict biometric verification will be the cornerstone of the new framework.

    ● CEIR Implementation: A Central Equipment Identity Register will be established to allow authorities to block stolen or fraud-linked devices across all networks simultaneously.

    ● New Legislation: A revised Legislative Instrument (L.I.) is currently being drafted to provide a solid legal backing for the exercise.

    5G Deployment: Exclusivity Scrapped

    Beyond SIM cards, the meeting marked a pivotal shift in Ghana’s high-speed internet strategy. Cabinet has officially approved the removal of the exclusivity clause from the previous wholesale 5G framework.

    This decision paves the way for a competitive spectrum auction, allowing multiple operators to vie for the rights to deploy 5G technology. While the wholesale model remains an option, the revised policy encourages a network-based rollout to ensure universal coverage across the country.

    Industry Response and Next Steps

    While telecom operators welcomed the clarity on 5G, they raised concerns regarding the capital-intensive nature of the technology. Industry leaders called for:

    1. Reasonable Spectrum Pricing: To ensure the auction is accessible.

    2. Infrastructure Support: Streamlined regulatory approvals for cell site expansion.

    3. Predictable Policy: Ensuring long-term investment security.

    The Ministry and the Telecoms Chamber have agreed to immediate technical engagements to refine the rollout roadmap. The next major milestones will be the publication of the 5G auction documentation and the finalization of the new SIM registration L.I.

    Comparison: Ghana’s SIM Registration Frameworks (2021 vs. 2026)

    Below is a detailed breakdown comparing the 2021 nationwide SIM registration exercise with the newly approved 2026 framework announced by Communication Minister Samuel Nartey George.

    Feature 2021 Registration Exercise 2026 Registration Framework (Proposed)

    Status/Classification The previous administration’s model; now described by the current government as “plagued by challenges.” “A Complete Reset” approved by Cabinet; a completely new nationwide exercise.

    Data Repository Individual telecommunication operators (Telcos) maintained separate customer databases. Centralized Database: The National Communications Authority (NCA) will serve as the single central repository.

    Biometric Verification Weak Enforcement: Data inconsistencies and non-compliant biometric capture were common. Mandatory Enforcement: Rigid biometric verification will be required for every registration.

    Anti-Fraud Tools Limited ability to block fraudulent devices across different operator networks. CEIR (Central Equipment Identity Register): Implementation enabling cross-network blocking of stolen or fraud-linked devices.

    Legal Basis Based on the existing 2011 Subscriber Identity Module Registration Regulations (L.I. 2006). Revised Legislation: A new Legislative Instrument (L.I.) is being drafted specifically to regulate this reset.

    Key Issues Addressed Aimed to link all SIM cards to the Ghana Card, but suffered from implementation flaws. Credibility and Security: Designed specifically to fix weak biometric enforcement and stop data-driven fraud.

     

     

     

     

  • 5G digital telecom services commence in Ghana …but competition now inevitable

    5G digital telecom services commence in Ghana …but competition now inevitable

    By Toma Imirhe

    Even though its erstwhile 10 year exclusivity has recently been revoked by the Government of Ghana, Next Gen Infraco (NGIC) last week commenced the first full commercial wholesale 5G operations in the country, making it available to telecommunications and internet service providers in the country to link up and then extend the service to retail customers.

    The service for now is available in parts of Accra, Kumasi and Tamale, but the company says it is already working to expand its infrastructural coverage to other parts of the country in phases. The company’s target is to have 5,200 sites up and running within the next three years.

    The commencement of NGIC’s commercial operations, following inspections and technical validation processes and ultimately, the approval of the National Communications Authority, is coming about a year behind schedule. Nevertheless it marks a significant milestone in Ghana’s digital development agenda. The commercial activation comes as the government pursues its target of achieving 70% population coverage with access to 5G by March 2027.

    However, the company will now have to gear up for inevitable competition in the market as government has reversed its exclusivity and declared its intention to sell spectrum to other industry players.

    The NCA has issued a notice to amend NGIC’s licence to remove the exclusivity clause that previously gave the company sole authority to deploy wholesale 5G infrastructure nationwide. The regulator says the move is intended to promote competition, innovation and more efficient use of spectrum while enhancing service quality for consumers.

    NGIC had originally been granted a ten-year exclusive licence as part of Ghana’s “shared infrastructure” model, under which a single wholesale network provider would build the core 4G and 5G infrastructure for retail operators. This strategy involved adopting a wholesale-first infrastructure model designed to coordinate national deployment while maintaining competition at the retail level.

    Under this framework: NGIC would build and operate the shared 4G/5G radio and core network infrastructure allowing licensed mobile network operators to connect to the platform and provide retail services directly to consumers and businesses.

    However, delays in the rollout and growing industry concerns about market concentration have prompted a policy rethink by government.

    With the removal of exclusivity, government is expected to allocate additional 5G spectrum directly to other telecom operators, allowing them to deploy their own infrastructure alongside NGIC’s wholesale network.

    Industry analysts say the most immediate beneficiaries of the policy shift will be Ghana’s three major mobile network operators — MTN Ghana, Telecel Ghana, and AT Ghana — which together dominate the country’s mobile telecommunications market. These operators already possess extensive 4G infrastructure and subscriber bases that could accelerate the commercial rollout of 5G services once spectrum is assigned.

    Telecel Ghana and AT Ghana are already linked to the NGIC wholesale network initiative, while MTN Ghana, the country’s largest operator with more than 30 million subscribers, has the financial capacity and technical expertise to undertake its own nationwide 5G deployment.

    Beyond the major mobile operators, the liberalised framework could also attract participation from internet service providers and infrastructure companies seeking access to spectrum or partnerships with global technology vendors.

    Government officials argue that opening the 5G market will accelerate Ghana’s digital transformation, support emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and smart cities, and help achieve the country’s target of broad nationwide 5G coverage within the next few years.

    However, some industry stakeholders caution that policy reversals could create uncertainty for investors who committed capital under the earlier exclusivity arrangement.

    Despite those concerns, the new competitive framework is widely expected to speed up deployment of next-generation connectivity and expand Ghana’s role as a regional digital innovation hub.

     

     

  • DStv Services Pricing: Sam George vow to proceed with August 7 action as planned

     

    The Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, has reiterated his resolve to take regulatory action against MultiChoice Ghana, operators of DStv, over what he describes as unfair and exorbitant subscription fees.

    His reaffirmation comes amid rising public dissatisfaction over DStv’s pricing model in Ghana — concerns that have prompted calls for intervention from various stakeholders, including the Minority in Parliament.

    While the Minority has urged a diplomatic approach, encouraging engagement between the Ministry, MultiChoice Ghana, and the National Communications Authority (NCA), the Minister has insisted that the process of regulatory enforcement will proceed.

    In a statement issued on Sunday, August 3, MultiChoice described the directive from the Minister instructing the NCA to suspend its broadcasting licence as “regrettable,” arguing that a further reduction in subscription fees was not feasible under current conditions.

    Responding to this position, Sam George dismissed the company’s justification as out of touch with the economic hardships facing Ghanaians.

    In a Facebook post on Monday, August 4, he acknowledged the Minority’s appeal for dialogue but insisted that regulatory measures would go ahead as scheduled.

    “On the 7th of August, the Regulator would initiate action in line with the terms of the license authorisation and the Electronic Communications Act, Act 775. We would act within the law and in the interest of the Ghanaian people. The RESET agenda demands this action for sanity to prevail,” he wrote.

    He further assured that the Ministry would provide a full update to the Parliamentary Committee overseeing the matter once regulatory steps have been completed.

    “I remain accountable to the people of Ghana in my service as Minister. I can assure the Committee as a whole that the Ministry would provide a full update when we complete our regulatory actions on 7th August,” he added.

    Describing the directive as a last resort, the Minister stressed that the aim is to curb monopolistic practices and ensure subscription fees reflect Ghana’s current economic realities.

    Read below the statement by Sam George on Facebook

    “I appreciate the call by the NPP Minority on the Communications Select Committee of Parliament for engagement. As Minister and an MP, I have the utmost respect for my oversight Committee.

    I can assure the Committee as a whole that the Ministry would provide a full update when we complete our regulatory actions on 7th August.

    For the records, let me state that I met the Ghanaian management of DStv on the 27th of June this year to raise my concerns with them. I subsequently wrote to invite their headquarters management and met them on 4th July. A meeting that was held on a holiday and at which I indicated our request of a 30% reduction and the need for DStv to deal with piracy which was being perpetrated on their platform to the detriment of Ghana. (Pictures of both meetings are attached. I have videos as well if needed).

    I have always approached this matter with one goal, a fair price for the Ghanaian people. DStv responded with a 9-page letter on 21st July. (If the 1-page letter annoyed you, imagine what was in the 9-pager). The policy directive is a last resort action to protect the Ghanaian public from what appears to be a recalcitrant monopoly which has become tone deaf to the cries of their customers.

    On the 7th of August, the Regulator would initiate action in line with the terms of the license authorisation and the Electronic Communications Act, Act 775.

    We would act within the law and in the interest of the Ghanaian people. The RESET agenda demands this action for sanity to prevail. I remain accountable to the people of Ghana in my service as Minister.

    For God and Country. 🦁🇬🇭