The National Communications Authority (NCA) has amended the Wholesale Electronic Communications Infrastructure (Telecommunications) Licence of Next Gen Infraco Limited (NGIC), removing the company’s exclusive right to operate Ghana’s wholesale 5G infrastructure.
In a press statement issued on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, the Authority said the decision was taken in the public interest to promote competition, attract investment, encourage innovation, improve network resilience, enhance service quality, and expand access to advanced communications services.
The exclusivity provision had formed part of the regulatory framework that granted NGIC the sole right to own and operate wholesale 5G infrastructure in Ghana. However, the NCA said developments within the telecommunications sector have made a competitive wholesale 5G market more beneficial to consumers and the country’s digital economy.
According to the Authority, the amendment was made pursuant to Article 6.1.2 of NGIC’s licence and Section 14 of the Electronic Communications Act, 2008 (Act 775), which empower the NCA to amend licence conditions where it is deemed to be in the public interest.
The NCA disclosed that it initiated the amendment process by issuing a Notice of Proposed Amendment to NGIC on March 2, 2026, followed by a meeting with the company on March 18. NGIC subsequently submitted a Statement of Objections on April 1 and later made oral representations before the Authority’s Governing Board on May 28, in line with the provisions of the law.
After considering both the written and oral submissions, the Authority concluded that removing the exclusivity condition would better serve the public interest.
The NCA clarified that the amendment affects only the exclusivity clause and does not alter the validity of the remainder of NGIC’s licence. The company will continue to retain all other rights and obligations under its licence, including its spectrum assignment.
The amendment took effect on July 15, 2026.
The Authority expressed confidence that opening up the wholesale 5G market to competition will foster greater investment, drive innovation, and accelerate Ghana’s digital transformation agenda.
By: Bernard Mensah |Planbfmonline.com
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