Govt Targets 70% 5G Coverage by March 2027

The government has set an ambitious target to achieve 70 percent nationwide 5G population coverage by March 2027 as part of broader efforts to accelerate Ghana’s digital transformation agenda and strengthen the country’s technology infrastructure.

The announcement was made by the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, during the 15th anniversary launch of the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications in Accra.

The event brought together telecom operators, regulators, technology firms and industry stakeholders to discuss the future of digital connectivity and innovation in Ghana.

According to the minister, expanding access to high-speed internet and advanced digital infrastructure has become central to government’s long-term strategy for economic growth, innovation and public service delivery.

“We are determined to ensure that by Independence Day in 2027, at least 70 percent of Ghana’s population will have access to 5G services,” Mr George stated.

He stressed that digital technology is increasingly shaping the competitiveness of modern economies, with countries relying more heavily on advanced connectivity to support commerce, healthcare, education, finance, governance and industrial productivity.

“Digital technology is no longer a luxury. It is the backbone of modern economies, and we must position Ghana to fully benefit from the opportunities of the digital age,” he said.

The planned expansion of 5G infrastructure is expected to significantly improve internet speeds, network reliability and data transmission capacity across the country.

Government believes broader access to 5G technology could create major opportunities in sectors such as financial technology, e-commerce, telemedicine, digital education, artificial intelligence, cloud computing and smart infrastructure development.

Officials also expect the rollout to strengthen digital public services and support efforts to build a more data-driven and innovation-led economy.

Samuel Nartey George said the Ministry would continue working closely with regulators, telecom operators and private sector partners to accelerate the deployment of the infrastructure required for nationwide 5G expansion.

He noted that collaboration between government and industry players would be critical to ensuring rural and underserved communities are not excluded from the next phase of Ghana’s digital development.

Industry analysts say the success of the rollout will depend not only on network expansion but also on affordability, device accessibility, reliable electricity supply and the ability of businesses and institutions to effectively utilise 5G-enabled technologies.

Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications, Sylvia Ankomah, welcomed the government’s commitment and described the target as an important milestone in Ghana’s digital transformation journey.

“We commend the Ministry for the bold steps being taken to fast-track Ghana’s digital transformation through 5G deployment,” she stated.

According to her, wider deployment of 5G services could unlock new opportunities for innovation, investment, entrepreneurship and economic inclusion across multiple sectors of the economy.

She added that telecom operators remain committed to supporting initiatives aimed at improving digital access and enhancing nationwide connectivity.

For telecom companies, the transition to 5G is expected to open new revenue streams beyond traditional voice and data services, particularly in enterprise technology solutions, fintech services, cloud platforms and smart infrastructure systems.

However, analysts note that achieving the target will require substantial investment in fibre infrastructure, spectrum deployment, network upgrades, energy systems and digital security frameworks.

The rollout is also expected to intensify discussions around pricing, competition, network-sharing arrangements and rural connectivity policies.

Industry observers say these policy decisions will ultimately determine whether 5G adoption becomes broadly inclusive or remains concentrated in major urban centres and among higher-income consumers.

While consumers are expected to benefit from faster internet speeds and improved digital experiences, economists believe the broader measure of success will be whether enhanced connectivity can translate into stronger productivity, innovation, job creation and deeper participation in the global digital economy.

With government now publicly committing to the March 2027 target, attention is expected to shift toward implementation timelines, infrastructure deployment, affordability and the pace of nationwide execution.