NGIC Switches on Ghana’s 5G Backbone – Platform Goes Live as Nationwide Scale-Up Begins

Accra: Next Gen InfraCo (NGIC) Limited, Ghana's wholesale 4G and 5G network operator, has commenced full commercial operations. This follows confirmation from the National Communications Authority (NCA) that the company has met all regulatory requirements under its Wholesale Electronic Communications Infrastructure Licence. According to Ghana News Agency, the authorisation, issued after inspections and technical validation, clears NGIC to proceed with commercial wholesale services. The shared national 4G/5G platform is now live in selected parts of Accra, Kumasi, and Tamale, with phased expansion underway across the country. Ghana has adopted a wholesale-first model that places NGIC in charge of building and operating shared 4G/5G radio and core network infrastructure. Under this framework, licensed mobile network operators (MNOs) connect to the platform to deliver retail services to consumers and businesses. Mr Tenu Awoonor, Chief Executive Officer of NGIC, described the commercial activation as a major st ep forward in the nation's digital development agenda. 'Today, Ghana moves from 5G ambition to 5G execution. The shared backbone is commercially active and positioned to scale,' he said. He added that the model 'allows infrastructure investment to be coordinated nationally while preserving innovation and competition at the retail layer.' Mr Nenyi George Andah, Chief Operating Officer of NGIC, said operational focus has now shifted from activation to expansion. 'The backbone is active. The framework is clear. The responsibility now is execution - scaling coverage in a coordinated and sustainable manner,' he stated. He noted that separating wholesale infrastructure from retail services enhances national reach and supports efficient capital deployment. The government has set a target of achieving 70 per cent population-density coverage for 5G services by Ghana's 70th Independence Anniversary. The NGIC CEO said the objective required coordinated action across the ecosystem. 'Achieving 70% coverage within the Gh ana @ 70 timeframe demands alignment and long-term discipline. The shared architecture ensures investment is directed toward expanding reach rather than duplicating infrastructure,' Mr. Awoonor stated. Mr Mustapha Salah, Head of Central West and East Africa, Mobile Networks at Nokia, praised NGIC's progress and reaffirmed Nokia's role as technology partner. 'Nokia is proud to partner with NGIC to introduce Ghana's first neutral-host 4G/5G network,' he said. He added that the model provides a smart and prudent approach for operators to deliver high-speed data while enabling new enterprise service models. He further noted that the network's future-ready architecture would support socio-economic transformation and help bridge the digital divide. Mr Andah acknowledged the collaborative effort behind the activation. 'This progress reflects collaboration with the NCA, our core network partner Nokia, our anchor and connecting mobile operators, tower and fibre partners, and financing institutions. Delivering a shar ed national backbone requires coordinated effort across the value chain.' He concluded that Ghana's 5G backbone is now live, adding that the priority moving forward is responsible scale-up and nationwide impact. NGIC is the licensed national Wholesale Electronic Communications Infrastructure provider mandated to design, deploy, and operate Ghana's shared 4G/5G network platform. The company is working to accelerate digital connectivity and support national development objectives towards Ghana @ 70.