Ghana’s wholesale 4G and 5G network platform has officially gone live, paving the way for full commercial 5G services as mobile network operators begin connecting to the shared infrastructure.
Next Gen Infraco (NGIC), the country’s sole licensed 5G wholesale operator, received formal regulatory clearance from the National Communications Authority (NCA) after meeting the technical and operational requirements under its Wholesale Electronic Communications Infrastructure Licence.
Following inspections and validation processes, the NCA confirmed NGIC could proceed with commercial wholesale 4G and 5G operations.
The shared platform is now live in selected parts of Accra, Kumasi and Tamale, with phased expansion planned nationwide. Ghana becomes the first country in Africa and among a handful globally to adopt a wholesale-first 5G architecture at a national scale.
Under this structural model, NGIC is responsible for building and operating the shared radio and core network infrastructure. Licensed mobile network operators — including MTN Ghana, Telecel Ghana and AT Ghana — connect to the platform to provide retail services directly to consumers and businesses.
NGIC has deployed and tested 50 4G/5G sites so far, with 67 additional sites scheduled for rollout this month. A further 233 sites are in advanced planning stages, with deployment readiness expected by the end of March, offering near-term visibility on network expansion.
The company has completed 4G and 5G performance testing with AT Ghana. Testing with Telecel is pending SIM provisioning at the operator’s vendor level.
“Today, Ghana moves from 5G ambition to 5G execution. The shared backbone is commercially active and positioned to scale,” NGIC Chief Executive Officer Tenu Awoonor said. He described the wholesale-first framework as a system that coordinates national infrastructure investment while preserving competition and innovation at the retail level.
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Chief Operating Officer Nenyi George Andah said the next phase would focus on disciplined execution and scaling coverage in a sustainable manner. He argued that separating wholesale infrastructure from retail services enables faster national reach and more efficient capital deployment.
The rollout comes as the government pursues a target of achieving 70 percent 5G population coverage by Ghana’s 70th Independence Anniversary in 2027. While industry analysts have questioned the feasibility of the timeline, Communications Minister Sam George has indicated that the NCA may open applications for standalone 5G licences to complement the wholesale network and accelerate coverage.
Awoonor said meeting the target would require alignment across the ecosystem rather than duplication of infrastructure. “The shared architecture ensures investment is directed toward expanding reach rather than replicating assets,” he said.
NGIC’s core network is underpinned by technology from Nokia, which serves as its network partner. Mustapha Salah, Nokia’s Head of Central West and East Africa Mobile Networks, described the initiative as Ghana’s first neutral-host 4G/5G network, enabling operators to deliver high-speed data services while exploring new enterprise models.
Beyond consumer connectivity, officials say the shared backbone is expected to support enterprise solutions, fintech innovation, small and medium-sized businesses, digital health services and education platforms.
About NGIC
Next Gen Infraco Limited is Ghana’s licensed wholesale electronic communications infrastructure provider. The company designs, deploys and operates the country’s shared 4G/5G network platform, enabling mobile operators to offer competitive retail services over a common national backbone as part of Ghana’s broader digital transformation agenda.
