In a ground-breaking initiative, the Government of Ghana, in partnership with Radisys Corporation, a subsidiary of Reliance Industries Limited owned by Asia’s richest man Mukesh Ambani, is set to roll out affordable 5G mobile broadband services across the country by of 2024. The project will be spearheaded by the Next-Gen Infrastructure Company (NGIC).
According to Harkirit Singh, the executive director of NGIC, the company plans to invest a significant $145 million in Ghana’s infrastructure over the next three years. Radisys Corp will play a critical role by providing critical network infrastructure, applications and smartphones, positioning NGIC as the first 5G mobile broadband shared infrastructure entity to build a national 4G/5G network.
Joining forces with Radisys Corporation are several other prominent partners including Nokia, Tech Mahindra Ltd and Microsoft Corporation. This strategic move is in line with the vision of the Government of Ghana, as announced two months earlier by the Minister of Communications and Digitization, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, who unveiled plans to launch 5G mobile technology in September 2024.
Ursula Owusu-Ekuful emphasized the importance of creating a common 5G mobile broadband infrastructure, stating: “Establishing the NGIC as a neutral, common platform accessible to all mobile network operators and tower companies will help the rapid expansion of 5G services across the country.” He further expressed the country’s ambition to replicate India’s success in digital infrastructure and low-cost mobile data usage.
NGIC, which has been granted a ten-year license to provide 5G services in Ghana with a maximum extension of 15 years, is jointly owned by various stakeholders. Two African telecommunications companies, Ascend Digital Solutions Ltd. and K-NET, hold a 55% stake, while the Government of Ghana holds 10%. The remaining shares are held by local mobile phone companies and private investors.
Instead of serving customers directly, NGIC will offer 5G broadband services to Ghana’s mobile operators and Internet Service Providers (ISPs), facilitating the widespread availability of high-speed data connectivity.
With a population of just over 33 million people, Ghana boasts nearly 24.06 million internet users, representing a penetration rate of around 70% as of January 2024. The country’s telecommunications landscape is dominated by three major players: MTN Ghana , Vodafone Ghana and state-owned AT Ghana (formerly AirtelTigo).
This strategic partnership and investment is expected to revolutionize Ghana’s digital landscape, enabling affordable and widespread access to cutting-edge 5G technology. Leveraging the expertise of global industry leaders and fostering collaboration between stakeholders, the Government of Ghana aims to achieve its digital vision and bridge the digital divide by empowering citizens and businesses with high-speed connectivity.