The National Communications Authority (NCA) has removed the exclusivity clause in Next Gen InfraCo Limited’s (NGIC) licence that made the company Ghana’s sole provider of wholesale 5G infrastructure.
The decision, which takes effect from Wednesday, July 15, 2026, is expected to open Ghana’s wholesale 5G market to increased competition, investment and innovation.
The amendment affects NGIC’s Wholesale Electronic Communications Infrastructure (Telecommunications) Licence but does not alter other provisions, including the company’s spectrum assignment.
The NCA said the exclusivity condition was initially introduced to support the rollout of a national wholesale 5G network.
However, the regulator said developments in the telecommunications sector have shown that a competitive wholesale 5G market would better serve Ghana’s digital economy.
“As the telecommunications market has evolved, however, the Authority has concluded that the public interest is better served by a competitive wholesale 5G market that promotes investment, innovation, network resilience, service quality and wider access to advanced communications services,” the NCA said in a statement.
The Authority explained that the decision followed a regulatory process that allowed NGIC to respond to the proposed amendment.
The NCA said it issued a Notice of Proposed Amendment to NGIC on March 2, 2026, held discussions with the company on March 18, received its Statement of Objections on April 1 and later gave NGIC an opportunity to make oral representations before the Governing Board on May 28.
After considering the company’s submissions, the NCA said it concluded that removing the exclusivity condition was in the public interest.
The regulator stressed that the amendment affects only the exclusivity provision and does not invalidate the rest of NGIC’s licence.
NGIC will therefore continue to retain its other rights and obligations under the licence, including its spectrum assignment.
The NCA said the decision was made under its authority to amend licence conditions in the public interest, as provided under NGIC’s licence and the Electronic Communications Act, 2008 (Act 775).
The regulator expects the policy shift to attract more investment, encourage innovation, improve network resilience and service quality, and support Ghana’s digital transformation agenda.