MTN Ghana Secures Key Spectrum for Nationwide 5G Rollout

MTN Ghana has been awarded two critical spectrum licenses by the National Communications Authority (NCA), paving the way for a significant expansion of its 5G network across the country. The $202 million acquisition includes access to both the 700 MHz and 3 GHz bands, essential frequencies for delivering high-speed mobile broadband services.

The breakdown of the investment is as follows:

• 700 MHz Band: Two lots (2×20 MHz) at a cost of $100.9 million
• 3 GHz Band: Three lots (3×50 MHz), providing 150 MHz bandwidth, for $101.1 million

MTN Group noted in a corporate filing that these payments have been factored into MTN Ghana’s financial projections, with minimal impact on free cash flow.

Strategic Implications of the Acquisition

The additional spectrum will enable MTN Ghana to:

• Increase network capacity significantly, supporting more users and data-intensive applications
• Enhance service quality with lower latency and higher speeds
• Expand 5G coverage beyond urban centers to reach rural communities
• Accelerate fixed wireless access deployments through its “connect the home” services

With this acquisition, MTN Ghana will possess network presence in 7 African countries offering 5G, including South Africa, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Uganda, Congo-Brazzaville, Benin and now Ghana. Nigeria remains MTN’s largest 5G market by footprint.

The move positions MTN to compete directly with Telecel Ghana, which recently secured its own 5G license in the 2.3 GHz band.