By Daniel Bampoe
The National Communications Authority (NCA) has removed the exclusivity clause in the Wholesale Electronic Communications Infrastructure Licence granted to Next Gen Infraco Limited (NGIC), ending the company’s status as the sole wholesale provider of fifth-generation (5G) telecommunications infrastructure.
The decision marks a major shift in the telecommunications policy and is expected to pave the way for increased competition, investment and innovation in the country’s emerging 5G ecosystem.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, the NCA explained that the amendment affects only the licence condition that granted NGIC exclusive rights to own and operate wholesale 5G infrastructure across Ghana.
The Authority stressed that all other provisions of the licence remain valid, including the company’s spectrum assignment and other regulatory obligations.
According to the NCA, the original exclusivity arrangement formed part of the regulatory framework established to accelerate the rollout of a national wholesale 5G network when the technology was first introduced in Ghana.
At the time, the government adopted the wholesale model to reduce infrastructure duplication, lower deployment costs and expand nationwide access to next-generation telecommunications services.
However, the Authority said developments within the telecommunications industry have altered market conditions, making competition a more effective approach to achieving the digital transformation objectives.
“The Authority has concluded that the public interest is better served by a competitive wholesale 5G market,” the NCA stated.
The regulator explained that opening the wholesale market will encourage greater private sector investment, stimulate innovation, improve network resilience, enhance service quality and accelerate the availability of advanced communications services to consumers and businesses.
The amendment was made under Article 6.1.2 of NGIC’s licence and Section 14 of the Electronic Communications Act, 2008 (Act 775), which empower the Authority to amend licence conditions where such changes are considered to be in the public interest.
The NCA disclosed that due regulatory process was followed before the decision was reached.
According to the Authority, it first issued a Notice of Proposed Amendment to NGIC on March 2, 2026, outlining its intention to review the exclusivity clause. This was followed by consultations with the company on March 18, after which NGIC submitted a formal Statement of Objections on April 1.
The company was subsequently granted another opportunity to present oral arguments before the Governing Board of the NCA on May 28, 2026.
Following a comprehensive review of both the written objections and oral submissions made by NGIC, the Governing Board concluded that maintaining exclusivity was no longer in the broader public interest and approved the amendment.
The NCA emphasised that the decision does not revoke or invalidate NGIC’s licence. Rather, it removes only the exclusive operating rights previously enjoyed by the company while preserving all other rights and obligations under the licence.
The amendment officially took effect on July 15, 2026.
