After revoking Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani-backed deal, Ghana opens 5G auction worth over $200 million

Ghana has opened applications for new 5G spectrum licenses that could generate more than $200 million for the government, months after revoking an exclusive infrastructure agreement backed by Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani.

• Ghana has launched a new 5G spectrum auction expected to raise over $200 million for the government.
• The National Communications Authority is offering spectrum in the 700 MHz, 2.3 GHz, and 3 GHz bands, with reserve prices starting at $10 million.
• This move marks a shift from Ghana’s previous plan for an exclusive nationwide wholesale 5G network.
• The government revoked the earlier exclusive agreement with NGIC, a consortium backed by Mukesh Ambani.

Ghana has launched a new 5G spectrum auction with a minimum reserve value exceeding $230 million, marking a major shift in the country’s telecommunications strategy months after revoking an exclusive infrastructure agreement backed by Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani.

The National Communications Authority (NCA) is inviting qualified companies to bid for spectrum licences in the 700 megahertz (MHz), 2.3 gigahertz (GHz), and 3 GHz frequency bands as Ghana accelerates the rollout of next-generation mobile broadband.

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The NCA said the auction comprises 11 spectrum lots with a combined minimum reserve value of $230 million before competitive bidding begins.

This includes three lots in the 700 MHz band, each carrying a reserve price of $36 million; five lots in the 2.3 GHz band, priced at $10 million each; and three lots in the 3 GHz band, each with a minimum reserve price of $24 million.

If all 11 lots are awarded at their reserve prices, Ghana stands to raise at least $230 million, with the final proceeds expected to increase if bidders offer more than the minimum bids during the auction.

Depending on bidding activity and the number of lots awarded, the auction is expected to raise well over $100 million.

The move marks a significant policy shift from Ghana’s previous approach, which sought to deploy 5G through a single wholesale network provider.

Ghana abandons exclusive 5G model

The latest licensing process follows the government’s decision to revoke an exclusive 5G infrastructure agreement awarded to Next-Gen InfraCo (NGIC), a consortium backed by Ambani through Radisys Corporation, a US-based telecommunications technology company owned by Reliance Industries.

The consortium also included Nokia, Tech Mahindra, Ascend Digital, K-Net and several Ghanaian partners.

Under the original arrangement, NGIC would have built and operated a nationwide wholesale 5G network, with mobile operators purchasing network capacity instead of deploying their own infrastructure.

However, after President John Mahama’s administration took office, the agreement was reviewed amid concerns over transparency and competition.

Communications Minister Samuel Nartey George argued that granting exclusive control of the country’s 5G infrastructure to a single entity risked limiting competition and slowing innovation.

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The government subsequently revoked the arrangement and opted for an open licensing framework that allows multiple operators to acquire spectrum directly.

The new auction is expected to attract interest from Ghana’s major telecom operators, including MTN Ghana, Telecel Ghana and AT Ghana, as well as other potential investors seeking a foothold in one of West Africa’s fastest-growing digital markets.

The frequency bands on offer are among the most valuable for 5G deployment.

The 700 MHz spectrum provides wide-area coverage and stronger indoor connectivity, making it suitable for extending broadband access to rural communities, while the 2.3 GHz and 3 GHz bands deliver the high-speed capacity required for urban and industrial applications.