Next Gen Infraco (NGIC) has announced that it has obtained official approval from the National Communications Authority (NCA) to commence full commercial wholesale 4G and 5G operations, a development that positions Ghana to expedite its national digital infrastructure deployment.
The approval verifies that NGIC has fulfilled all technical and licensing criteria under its Wholesale Electronic Communications Infrastructure Licence, permitting the operator to offer shared network services to mobile operators.
The network is currently operational in certain areas of Accra, Kumasi, and Tamale, with plans for nationwide expansion to be executed in phases.
The commercial launch coincides with the government’s objective of achieving 70% 5G population coverage by the time of Ghana’s 70th Independence anniversary.
NGIC Chief Executive Officer Tenu Awoonor stated, “Achieving 70% coverage within the Ghana @70 timeframe demands coordination and long-term discipline.
“Today, Ghana moves from 5G ambition to 5G execution. The shared backbone is commercially active and positioned to scale,” Mr. Awoonor further remarked.
“This structure allows infrastructure investment to be coordinated nationally while preserving innovation and competition at the retail layer”.
Chief Operating Officer of Next Gen Infraco, Nenyi George Andah, emphasised that a disciplined rollout is the next priority.
“The backbone is active. The framework is clear. The responsibility now is execution — scaling coverage in a coordinated and sustainable manner,” he noted.
“Separating wholesale infrastructure from retail service delivery is a strategic decision. It enables faster national reach and more efficient capital deployment.”
Technology partner Nokia underscored the socio-economic potential of the rollout. Mustapha Salah, Head of Central West and East Africa, Mobile Networks at Nokia, remarked, “This wholesale network model enables all mobile operators in Ghana to bring high-speed data to consumers while introducing new service models to the enterprise segment.
“This progress reflects collaboration with the National Communications Authority, our core network parent Nokia, our anchor and connecting mobile network operators, tower and fibre infrastructure partners, and financing institutions. Delivering a shared national backbone requires coordinated effort across the value chain,” he said.
He concluded, “Ghana’s 5G backbone is live. The priority now is to scale responsibly and deliver nationwide impact”.
