MTN’s dominance a ‘worrying sign of policy failure’ – CUTS International
Five years after MTN Ghana was declared a Significant Market Power (SMP), Ghana’s telecom landscape remains heavily skewed in its favour.
This situation CUTS International West Africa’s Regional Director, Appiah Kusi Adomako, describes as “a worrying sign of policy failure.”
He is calling on the National Communications Authority (NCA) to review MTN’s SMP status and the accompanying corrective measures, arguing that despite well-intentioned regulations, market concentration has worsened rather than improved.
“The truth is that MTN’s dominance has deepened. This shows that the SMP measures have not achieved their intended purpose. We need a policy rethink, not to punish MTN, but to create a truly competitive space where smaller operators can also thrive,” Mr Adomako told journalists.
Background to the SMP Declaration
In June 2020, MTN Ghana was declared a Significant Market Power under Section 20(10) of the Electronic Communications Act (Act 775).
At the time, the telecom giant controlled 57 per cent of the voice market and nearly 68 per cent of data, prompting fears it could dictate pricing and competition dynamics.
The NCA’s subsequent measures, including on-net/off-net parity, asymmetrical interconnect rates, and infrastructure sharing, were designed to curb MTN’s market dominance and create breathing room for smaller operators such as Vodafone and AirtelTigo (now AT).
Five Years On: The Imbalance Persists
Today, the gap has widened. Reports suggest MTN controls over 75 per cent of active mobile subscribers and nearly 90 per cent of total industry revenue, while smaller players continue to shrink. AirtelTigo, once seen as a serious contender, is struggling to stay operational.
Consumers are also not seeing benefits. Prices for data remain high and service complaints persist.
“If the purpose of SMP measures was to protect consumers and promote competition, then clearly the results speak for themselves; they have not worked,” Mr Adomako stated.
A Call for Strategic Review and Risk Awareness
He maintains that MTN has done nothing illegal, acknowledging the company’s investments and innovation.
However, he warns that over-dependence on one operator presents a national security risk.
“A telecom market dominated by a single player is risky for any digital economy. A major network failure or cyberattack could bring the entire system down,” he cautioned.
The Way Forward
Mr Adomako urged the NCA and government to reassess the SMP framework to ensure it reflects current realities. He also proposed targeted tax and spectrum incentives for smaller operators to strengthen their competitiveness.
“Competition is not about cutting down the strong; it is about empowering the weak to stand taller,” he emphasised.
Mr Adomako concluded that while MTN’s efficiency deserves recognition, Ghana’s telecom future depends on fair competition, innovation, and diversity, not dominance.
