MTN Ghana Remains Silent on Potential Role in 5G Rollout with NGIC

MTN Ghana is keeping quiet about its involvement in the Next Gen Infraco (NGIC) consortium, recently launched to lead Ghana’s national 5G rollout. In an earnings call on November 1, MTN Ghana CEO Stephen Blewett did not confirm whether MTN would sign onto the NGIC-led 5G platform, despite the initiative’s government backing and partnerships with prominent tech firms.

NGIC, the new state-supported infrastructure consortium, holds a 10-year exclusive license to deploy and maintain Ghana’s 5G network through an open-access model. This setup allows all mobile network operators, including MTN Ghana, to leverage the 5G infrastructure without having to make significant direct investments, aiming to expedite Ghana’s digital transformation by consolidating costly infrastructure resources.

While addressing MTN’s perspective on 5G, Blewett affirmed the company’s alignment with Ghana’s digital ambitions but did not clarify its partnership status with NGIC. “From an MTN perspective, we are in support of the national agenda for 5G,” he stated, adding only that MTN remains engaged in discussions about accessing the infrastructure. He hinted at potential collaboration but refrained from giving specifics, citing an NDA, “I’m under an NDA… the rollout will continue, and as it does, we will continue our discussions,” he said.

NGIC’s 5G deployment has already begun in key urban centers, including Accra, Kumasi, and Takoradi, with nationwide expansion planned within two years. AT Ghana is currently signed onto NGIC’s platform, and Telecel Ghana is reportedly finalizing its participation, while MTN’s position remains a topic of industry speculation. The consortium is supported by technology giants Nokia, Tech Mahindra, and K-NET, positioning NGIC to revolutionize Ghana’s telecommunications industry with faster connectivity and improved download speeds via 5G technology.