The National Communications Authority (NCA) has amended the Wholesale Electronic Communications Infrastructure (Telecommunications) Licence of Next Gen Infraco Limited (NGIC), removing the provision that granted the company exclusive rights to operate Ghana’s wholesale fifth-generation (5G) telecommunications infrastructure.
The Authority, in a press statement issued on Wednesday, July 15, said the amendment was made in the public interest and takes effect immediately.
NGIC was previously granted sole rights to own and operate wholesale 5G infrastructure under a regulatory framework introduced to facilitate the rollout of a national wholesale 5G network.
According to the NCA, developments in the telecommunications sector have prompted a policy shift towards a more competitive wholesale 5G market.
The Authority said it had concluded that opening the market would better promote investment, innovation, network resilience, improved service quality and wider access to advanced communications services.
The NCA 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 it is deemed to be in the public interest.
It said due process was followed before the amendment was approved. The Authority issued a Notice of Proposed Amendment to NGIC on March 2, 2026, held consultations with the company on March 18, and received a Statement of Objections from NGIC on April 1 under Section 14(4) of Act 775.
The company was subsequently given the opportunity to present oral submissions before the NCA Governing Board on May 28, 2026.
“After carefully considering NGIC’s written and oral representations, the Authority concluded that it was in the public interest to remove the exclusivity condition from the Licence,” the statement said.
The NCA clarified that the amendment affects only the exclusivity provision and does not alter the remainder of NGIC’s licence. The company will continue to retain all other rights and obligations under the licence, including its assigned spectrum.
The Authority expressed the expectation that the decision would encourage greater competition in Ghana’s wholesale 5G market, stimulate investment and innovation, and support the country’s broader digital transformation agenda.
