Ghana’s Ambitious 5G Bet: Inspired by Mukesh Ambani’s Jio Model

Summary:
Ghana is partnering with Mukesh Ambani’s Next-Gen InfraCo. (NGIC) to bring a 5G network nationwide by 2026, inspired by India’s Jio model. The goal is to reduce data costs, expand digital access, and fuel economic growth. NGIC’s exclusive 10-year license will support major telecom players, with Ambani’s Radisys Corp. and tech giants like Nokia and Microsoft contributing to the infrastructure. Ghana aims to boost internet penetration from 70% to near-universal coverage, complementing other economic recovery efforts.

Ghana is looking to replicate the success of Mukesh Ambani’s Jio model by rolling out a nationwide 5G network, with hopes of lowering data costs and spurring economic growth. Backed by Ambani’s Next-Gen InfraCo. (NGIC), the 5G launch aims for full coverage by 2026, as stated by Ghana’s Minister of Communications and Digitalization, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful. She emphasized that the project seeks to democratize high-speed internet access across Ghana.

NGIC is set to bring the same kind of transformation Jio did in India, which in 2016 redefined the telecom industry with affordable data and free voice services, attracting over 470 million users. Ghana hopes this shift will similarly expand digital access and economic opportunities.

Despite economic recovery—GDP growth rose from 4.7% in Q1 to 6.9% in Q2—Ghana aims for sustained growth levels seen before the pandemic. Initiatives like an $8.2 billion cedis program to provide low-cost loans to small and medium-sized enterprises (which make up 70% of GDP) complement the 5G push.

NGIC, which holds an exclusive 10-year 5G license purchased for $125 million, will be the backbone for major telecoms like MTN Ghana and Telecel Ghana. Radisys Corp., part of Ambani’s Reliance Industries Ltd., along with Nokia, Tech Mahindra, and Microsoft, will support the infrastructure rollout. Ghana aims to increase internet penetration from 70% to near-universal levels by 2030.