Ghana Launches first 5G network, Plans To Become West Africa’s Digital Hub 

Ghana Launches first 5G network, Plans To Become West Africa’s Digital Hub

Ghana has achieved a significant milestone in its digital transformation by launching its inaugural 5G network.

This endeavor, spearheaded by Next-Gen InfraCo, a consortium of telecommunications companies, holds the promise of faster connectivity and expanded coverage across the nation.

The exclusive ten-year rights granted to Next-Gen InfraCo to deploy 5G and bolster 4G infrastructure are geared towards enhancing network reliability on a national scale.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo commended this initiative as a pivotal moment in Ghana’s journey towards digital inclusivity.

“This new technology is more than just faster internet, but a leap forward in connectivity that aligns with Ghana’s vision to become a digital economy hub, accelerating growth, enhancing services, and transforming lives across all sectors,” he stated during the event on Friday, November 1.

“The 5G technology will drive our agenda forward, embedding the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, and data analytics into daily life across Ghana,” he said, expressing hope that sectors like agriculture, health, education, and manufacturing would benefit immensely from the advanced network capabilities.

This move follows the recent licensing of Starlink in Ghana, providing an additional internet alternative, particularly crucial following internet disruptions experienced in parts of West and Central Africa in March.

These disruptions escalated the demand for dependable connectivity solutions, underscoring the significance of such advancements.

By embracing 5G technology, Ghana joins the ranks of other African nations like South Africa, Nigeria, and Mauritius in embracing next-generation connectivity solutions.

South Africa notably led the continent by being the first to introduce 5G in March 2020 and has amassed a substantial subscriber base, with approximately 5 million subscribers as of the end of 2022.

This places South Africa as the second-largest in terms of subscribers in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, only trailing behind Saudi Arabia, as reported by the GlobalComms Database Service.