Ghana's 5G Revolution: New Era Kicks Off as MTN and Telecel Break Monopoly!

African technology markets are currently experiencing significant shifts across mobile connectivity, ride-hailing services, and corporate governance. Ghana is poised to revolutionize its 5G network rollout, Kenya's ride-hailing industry is facing new regulatory pressures, and Safaricom, a major telecom player, is navigating a pivotal change in its ownership and leadership structure.

Ghana has made a decisive move to open its 5G market, revoking the exclusive license previously granted to Next Gen Infraco (NGIC). This decision marks a significant departure from the initial plan for a single company to build the country's next-generation mobile network. The government is now preparing to auction 5G licenses to telecom operators, with major players like MTN Ghana and Telecel Ghana already confirming their intent to bid. This auction is expected to commence within weeks, signaling a shift from a monopoly model to a competitive one in Ghana's quest for advanced mobile connectivity.

The change in strategy stems from the slow progress under the previous exclusive model. By March 2026, NGIC had deployed only 49 5G sites, significantly missing the government's target of 1,200 sites by 2027. Officials now believe that allowing multiple operators to build and manage their own 5G networks will accelerate deployment, enhance service quality, and foster greater investment in the sector. This move aims to help Ghana catch up with other major African telecom markets such as South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria, which have been expanding their 5G networks for several years. According to GSMA Intelligence, Ghana's population coverage could reach approximately 7% by the end of 2026 if commercial deployment begins soon, still trailing Nigeria (22%), Kenya (38%), and South Africa (over 60%). Faster 5G adoption is expected to unlock new opportunities across various sectors, including cloud computing, artificial intelligence, fintech, manufacturing, and smart cities.

Historically, the previous administration supported NGIC's wholesale model, hoping to reduce infrastructure costs and prevent MTN, already the dominant operator, from further extending its market lead. NGIC had partnered with Radisys, a subsidiary of Reliance Industries, for network development. However, after taking office in 2025, Communications Minister Sam George openly criticized the slow rollout. By 2026, Ghana’s communications regulator indicated its intention to scrap NGIC’s exclusive license, culminating in the recent decision to embrace competitive bidding. For consumers, this shift promises faster access to high-speed mobile internet and increased competition among telecom providers. For operators like MTN and Telecel, it offers a direct opportunity to influence Ghana’s 5G future, rather than depending on a third-party network. Broadly, this decision reflects a growing trend among African governments to reconsider digital infrastructure strategies that fail to deliver, favoring competition over exclusivity in the pursuit of next-generation connectivity.

Meanwhile, Kenya's ride-hailing industry is on the cusp of a major transformation, potentially leading to increased fares for passengers. The government is drafting new regulations, the 2026 Transport Network Company rules, that would mandate platforms like Uber and Bolt to guarantee drivers a minimum payment per trip. While these proposed changes aim to improve earnings for drivers, ride-hailing companies have warned that such a move could significantly raise fares, potentially reducing demand for app-based services.

At the core of this debate is the question of fair driver compensation. Under the proposed regulations, ride-hailing platforms would be required to ensure drivers and motorcycle riders receive a minimum payout before accounting for commissions, taxes, and other deductions. The government argues that drivers have been grappling with escalating costs for fuel, insurance, and maintenance. In contrast, platforms contend that enforcing higher minimum payments could make rides prohibitively expensive for customers. Ride-hailing has become an integral part of urban transportation in Kenya, particularly in cities like Nairobi and Mombasa, providing daily mobility for millions and income for thousands of drivers. However, beneath this convenience lies growing tension, as drivers cite low fares and high platform commissions as obstacles to covering operating costs. Despite Kenya introducing regulations in 2022, including an 18% cap on platform commissions, disputes between drivers and ride-hailing firms have persisted. By 2024, some Kenyan drivers were already refusing app-generated fares, arguing that prices had fallen too low amidst rising living costs, leading some to negotiate higher prices directly with passengers, underscoring the widening disparity between platform pricing models and drivers’ economic realities.

The latest proposal has the potential to reshape Kenya's ride-hailing market. If implemented, drivers could benefit from more predictable incomes, but passengers might face higher prices and fewer discounted rides. For Uber, Bolt, and other platforms, the challenge will involve striking a delicate balance: keeping rides affordable, retaining their driver base, and complying with government objectives to make the industry more sustainable.

In other news, Safaricom, a telecom giant, is preparing for a crucial shareholder vote on July 31, 2026, which could redefine its governance. Shareholders will decide on proposed changes that would grant Vodafone Kenya, now under the control of South Africa's Vodacom Group, the authority to nominate Safaricom’s chief executive, provided it remains the majority shareholder. While the board would still need to approve the appointment, this move would significantly increase Vodacom’s influence over the future leadership of one of Africa’s most valuable telecom companies.

This vote represents the first major test of Safaricom’s new ownership structure. On June 30, 2026, Vodacom finalized the acquisition of an additional stake in Safaricom, boosting its ownership to approximately 55%. This increase resulted from purchasing the Kenyan government’s 15% stake and an additional effective stake from Vodafone Group. Following these transactions, the Kenyan government now holds a 20% stake, with the remaining shares owned by public investors on the Nairobi Securities Exchange. Beyond the CEO appointment, the proposed amendments seek to update Safaricom’s governance rules to reflect its new reality. These changes include adjustments to board representation, enabling major shareholders like Vodafone Kenya to appoint directors based on their ownership levels. The company has stated that these proposals are being presented for shareholders to decide, with each resolution requiring approval through a special vote.

Safaricom originated as a partnership between Kenya’s telecommunications sector and Vodafone, which acquired a significant stake in 2000. The company later listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange in 2008, allowing public investors to hold shares. The Kenyan government’s decision to sell its remaining stake, announced in late 2025, sparked debate about whether Kenya was relinquishing too much control over a company widely regarded as a national technology asset. For customers, a key question is how this ownership shift will impact Safaricom’s future. The company is not only a telecom operator but also manages M-Pesa, one of Africa’s most successful mobile money platforms, and has expanded into Ethiopia and other digital services. Supporters argue that Vodacom’s increased control could attract more investment and stimulate regional growth, while some express concerns about potential changes in leadership and strategic decisions. The upcoming vote will be crucial in determining how Safaricom balances its Kenyan identity with its new majority ownership structure.