Ghana’s telecommunications regulator, the National Communications Authority (NCA), has opened a public consultation on plans to introduce a regulator-determined pricing framework for national roaming services. The proposal would replace the current system of bilateral negotiations between mobile operators with benchmark wholesale ceiling rates set by the regulator, a move that could significantly reshape competition and network access across the country’s mobile market.
National roaming allows subscribers of one mobile operator to connect to another operator’s network in areas where their own provider has not yet deployed coverage. The service has been available in Ghana since 2022 through commercial agreements between operators. However, the NCA said variations in the wholesale rates negotiated under these agreements have raised concerns about competitive imbalances and potential impacts on retail pricing. In practice, a dominant network operator could offer concessionary roaming rates to one provider while charging higher rates to another, depending on whether the operator views that provider as a strategic partner or a direct competitor. By introducing standardized benchmark wholesale rates, the NCA aims to reduce these disparities and create a more predictable and transparent pricing framework.
Under the proposed framework, the NCA has suggested reference wholesale ceiling rates of GH¢0.0053 per minute for voice calls, GH¢0.00003 per SMS, GH¢0.0032 per megabyte of data usage, and GH¢0.00003 per USSD session. The regulator said the benchmarks were developed through an analysis of prevailing retail tariffs charged by the market-dominant operator, existing bilateral roaming rates, and the relationship between wholesale and retail pricing to prevent margin squeeze scenarios where high wholesale charges limit smaller operators’ ability to compete.
The consultation also connects to regulatory measures introduced after MTN Ghana was designated as holding Significant Market Power (SMP) in the mobile telecommunications market in 2020. Establishing regulated wholesale roaming rates is intended to limit the commercial advantage dominant operators may derive from their infrastructure footprint while creating a more predictable cost structure for smaller providers seeking to expand coverage.
For Ghana’s connectivity landscape, the proposed framework could accelerate network expansion in underserved areas by allowing smaller operators to rely more predictably on existing infrastructure while continuing to build out their own networks. National roaming, when priced transparently, can reduce duplication of infrastructure investment, improve service availability in rural and peri-urban areas, and lower barriers to entry for newer operators and digital service providers. The NCA’s move also aligns with Ghana’s evolving 5G strategy. When outlining the licensing framework for the country’s 5G rollout, the authority introduced a mandatory national roaming obligation requiring all 5G licensees to provide access to their networks on equal terms. A regulated wholesale pricing structure for existing 4G roaming services creates the institutional foundation needed to support that requirement.
The development also carries broader lessons for other African markets, including Nigeria. In Nigeria, roaming arrangements remain largely bilateral and limited in scope despite repeated regulatory encouragement to deepen infrastructure sharing. As the country pushes toward greater digital inclusion – particularly in rural and underserved regions – the economics of network duplication and uneven coverage remain persistent challenges. While Nigeria’s national backbone initiative, Project Bridge, is expected to significantly expand fiber infrastructure, operators will still need to contend with operational realities such as frequent fiber cuts, vandalism, and infrastructure damage.
Ghana’s approach illustrates how regulators can use wholesale pricing frameworks to rebalance market dynamics, enabling smaller operators and new entrants to access national infrastructure while maintaining competition at the retail level.
Stakeholders, including telecom operators, service providers, and industry participants, have been invited to submit feedback on both the proposed price levels and the methodology used to determine them. Submissions are open for four weeks and must be submitted electronically to the NCA by April 3, 2026. The regulator said consultation responses may lead to revisions before final guidelines are issued under Ghana’s Electronic Communications Act, 2008 (Act 775).
