The government is currently negotiating with a strategic investor for the revamp and potential takeover of AirtelTigo, now rebranded as AT. This initiative aims to reposition the state-owned telecom operator and enhance competition within the sector. Samuel Nartey George, the Minister for Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovation, disclosed this development during a stakeholder engagement with telecom industry CEOs on Friday, May 30, 2025. He mentioned that a 60-day timeline has been established to complete the deal, with the goal of rolling out improved services by the end of the third quarter.
“It is good to hear CAPEX requirements that are coming in. As Minister, I hold in trust for the Ghanaian people. Maybe for the first time, I will put out that the government is currently in negotiations with a strategic partner to revamp and take over AT. “We started these conversations. We have given a 60-day window for the completion of those negotiations so that by the end of Q3, we could see a full rollout of the improved services from AT,” Sam George said.
The move forms part of efforts to inject capital and technical expertise into AT, which has struggled to compete effectively in the market since the government took over its operations in 2021. Mr. George also announced that Cabinet has approved the allocation of new spectrum resources to major players, including Telecel and MTN, to boost infrastructure and service delivery.
“Cabinet is giving approval for spectrum to be offered to Telecel and MTN as well. The regulators also brought to my attention a request for connecting entity licenses so that the likes of AT and Telecel that are pretty constrained spectrum-wise, could immediately take advantage of some resources on the NGIC platform. MTN is also welcome if they are interested to take part of those resources,” he added. These developments signal renewed push by the government to drive innovation, network expansion and improved service delivery in the telecommunications industry.
By: Daniel Sackitey
