The Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, Mr Samuel Nartey George, has given Next-Gen InfraCo (NGIC) until December 2025 to commercially roll out 5G services, warning that failure to meet the deadline could lead to a review of the company’s licence and the withdrawal of its exclusive rights.
Mr George issued the warning during the Government Accountability Series press briefing held in Accra on Friday, August 1, 2025.
He said NGIC was granted the 5G licence nearly three years ago, yet the country still lacks an operational 5G network. Although the government has approved the necessary regulatory processes for NGIC to partner with mobile network operators (MNOs), he noted that progress has been unacceptably slow.
“Like I have indicated, if by the end of the fourth quarter we do not see a full commercial rollout of NGIC’s 5G network on telecom operators, we will take away the exclusivity clause and review the entire licence arrangement in the interest of the Ghanaian people,” Mr George said.
He added that NGIC had recently requested additional authorisation to extend services to internet service providers (ISPs), but the ministry declined the request, urging the company to focus on implementation through the existing MNOs.
“You have a licence. You’ve had it for almost three years. At the very least, I’ve given you the authority and regulatory approval to connect to MNOs. Focus on that and roll out,” he stated.
Responding to claims that the previous administration had launched 5G services, Mr George dismissed them as inaccurate. “There was no 5G network at that centre on the day it was supposedly launched, and there is no 5G anywhere,” he clarified.
He explained that while the government remains committed to expanding digital access, regulatory privileges would not be extended indefinitely in the absence of delivery.
NGIC was established as a shared infrastructure provider to deploy and manage Ghana’s 5G network. Under its licence, the company is expected to work with all approved operators to deliver affordable and widespread coverage.
