NCA Advances MTN, Telecel, and Goal to Next Phase of Ghana's 5G Spectrum Licensing

The National Communications Authority (NCA) of Ghana has officially announced that three telecommunications firms have successfully passed the technical assessment phase for the country’s 5G spectrum licensing. Scancom Plc (MTN Ghana), Ghana Telecommunications Company Limited (Telecel Ghana), and Goal Telecommunications Ltd were cleared to proceed to the next stage of the competitive process. This development marks a significant milestone in Ghana's journey toward the commercial deployment of fifth-generation (5G) network technology, which promises significantly faster data speeds and improved connectivity for consumers and businesses alike.

According to the NCA, all applicants had until August 27, 2026, to submit their bids for the available spectrum. While four companies originally expressed interest and submitted documentation, Infrava Ltd was disqualified after failing to meet the rigorous eligibility requirements set by the regulator. The remaining three successful applicants have been formally notified of their advancement, following a thorough evaluation of their technical submissions to ensure they meet the standards necessary to manage high-capacity digital infrastructure.

The process now moves into Stage 3, which focuses on the financial aspects of the licensing. During this phase, the NCA will open and rank the "Best Price Offers" submitted by the qualified companies. The licenses under consideration cover three critical frequency bands: the 700MHz, 2.3GHz, and 3GHz bands. These frequencies are essential for providing the broad coverage and high-capacity data transmission that are the hallmarks of a robust 5G network. The NCA has stated that specific instructions regarding the next stage will be communicated directly to MTN, Telecel, and Goal.

This licensing process is a cornerstone of Ghana’s digital transformation agenda, aiming to ensure that the selected providers are both technically capable and financially committed to the long-term infrastructure needs of the telecommunications sector. The successful deployment of 5G is expected to catalyze growth in various sectors, including fintech, healthcare, and education. By facilitating this transition, the NCA is positioning Ghana to remain competitive in the regional digital economy and meet the growing demand for high-speed internet access across the nation.