MTN Ghana, the country’s largest mobile network operator and a subsidiary of South African telecoms giant MTN Group, has secured spectrum in the 700 MHz and 3 GHz bands in a strategic investment aimed at expanding its 5G and mobile broadband services.

In a notice to shareholders, MTN Group said its Ghanaian subsidiary had received an award notice from Ghana’s National Communications Authority for spectrum licences with a 15-year duration.

MTN Ghana commits $202 million to new spectrum

Under the award, MTN Ghana will acquire two 20 MHz lots in the 700 MHz band for $100.9 million and three 50 MHz lots in the 3 GHz band, equivalent to 150 MHz, for $101.1 million.

The combined licence fees amount to approximately $202 million, making the spectrum acquisition one of MTN Ghana’s significant infrastructure investments as the operator prepares to accelerate its 5G rollout.

Scancom Plc. is finalising the formal requirements and payment obligations associated with the licences, with the payments already incorporated into the company’s equity free cash flow outlook.

New spectrum targets Ghana’s 5G growth

The newly awarded spectrum will supplement MTN Ghana’s existing spectrum holdings and enable the operator to strengthen network capacity and improve service quality as demand for high-speed mobile connectivity increases.

The 700 MHz spectrum is particularly important for extending coverage, while the 3 GHz mid-band spectrum can provide additional capacity for high-speed data services.

Scancom Plc. expects the additional spectrum to support the growth of 5G mobility across the country while advancing its ambition to connect more homes to high-speed broadband services.

MTN Ghana deepens investment in connectivity

The investment comes as telecom operators across African markets expand network infrastructure to capture growing demand for mobile data, digital services and broadband connectivity.

For MTN Ghana, the spectrum award provides additional capacity to support its customer base while strengthening its competitive position in Ghana’s rapidly developing digital economy.

MTN Group and Scancom Plc. said they will continue to update shareholders and the market on material developments as the company completes the licensing process and rolls out the newly awarded spectrum.

The investment underscores MTN Ghana’s broader strategy of using network expansion and next-generation connectivity to improve customer experience while creating capacity for future growth in one of MTN Group’s key African markets.