ACCRA, Ghana, 7th September: The government has opened Ghana’s 5G market to increase competition as part of efforts to expand high-speed internet access and attract investment into the country’s digital economy.
The Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, Sam Nartey George, said the National Communications Authority (NCA) had removed the wholesale 5G exclusivity framework that had constrained competition in the high-speed broadband market.
According to him, the NCA Board approved the reform on July 15, 2026, following a comprehensive regulatory, economic and legal assessment.
He said requests for applications for spectrum in the 700 megahertz, 2.3 gigahertz and 3 gigahertz bands had subsequently been issued, paving the way for new investment in the sector.
Speaking at the Government Accountability Series at the Presidency, Mr George said the policy shift was part of government’s broader strategy to ensure that Ghana’s digital infrastructure kept pace with the country’s rapidly growing demand for data.
He noted that Ghana had transitioned significantly from a voice-driven telecommunications market to one increasingly dependent on mobile data and digital services.
The Minister disclosed that smartphone penetration had risen from 27.5 per cent a decade ago to 71.8 per cent as of June 2026, creating greater demand for reliable and faster network services.
He said the government was therefore focused not only on expanding network coverage but also on ensuring that existing and new infrastructure was capable of delivering modern digital services.
Mr George further disclosed that the adoption of Voice over LTE (VoLTE), which provides clearer calls and improved data performance, had increased from seven per cent to 22.43 per cent of total traffic.
He said VoLTE has now reached more than 8.4 million subscribers across the country.
The Minister said the government’s regulatory interventions were already encouraging private-sector investment, citing MTN Ghana’s commitment of more than US$1.1 billion over the next three years.
He said approximately US$380 million of that investment would be made in 2026 to expand coverage, deploy new sites and support the rollout of 5G services.
Mr George said the government would continue to work with the NCA and industry players to create a competitive digital environment capable of supporting Ghana’s economic transformation.
Story by: Emmanuel Romeo Tetteh(#RomeoWrites✍️)/ Presidential Affairs Correspondent | Ghana 🇬🇭