Ghana, situated in West Africa, has a varied geography from coastal plains to savannahs and forests, offering challenges and opportunities for the deployment of technology and telecommunications infrastructure. Its population, nearing 30 million, is distributed across rural and urban areas with the latter, including Accra and Kumasi, hosting a higher density of technology usage. Ghana has made strides in utilising solar power in its northern regions, where sunlight is abundant, to meet energy needs. The country's telecommunications sector is mature with mobile penetration at 100% and internet usage steadily growing, driven by a dynamic mobile money ecosystem. It is worth noting however that rural areas still face connectivity issues and the renewable energy sector, while promising, is yet to reach its full potential. Urban areas also grapple with reliable power supply issues that may impact the consistent operation of technology infrastructure.
Mobile Network Operators
The are 5 companies operating mobile networks in this region.
AT Ghana is a subsidiary of Millicom International Cellular SA, a Luxembourg-based telecommunications services provider. The parent company, Millicom, was established on December 14, 1990, and operates under the Tigo brand. Xavier Niel, a French billionaire, is the main shareholder of Millicom, owning 27.13% of the company. Tigo Ghana was part of Millicom's shift in focus towards Latin America and Africa after the sale of its Asian business segment in 2011. The company was born of a merger between Tigo Ghana Limited and Airtel Ghana Limited in November 2017, with equal ownership and governance...
Glo Mobile Ghana is a subsidiary of the Nigerian multinational telecommunications firm, Globacom Limited who operate the UK-Ghana GLO1 submarine cable. Despite its founding in 2008 the company did not begin operations until May 2012. The company's ownership is vested in Mike Adenuga, who is also the owner of the parent company, Globacom Limited. The establishment of Glo Mobile Ghana is part of Globacom Limited's expansion strategy into other West African markets.
Vodafone Ghana is a major mobile network operator servicing Ghana. Formed following the privatisation of incumbent telecommunications provider Ghana Telecom, the company has a history dating back to 1974. In July 2008 it was announced that Vodafone Group had agreed to acquire a 70% stake in the company, with the Ghanian government to maintain 30% ownership. Following the acquisition, Vodafone rebranded Ghana Telecom and its mobile network subsidiary OneTouch as Vodafone Ghana.
Zipnet is a reputable telecommunications company that operates extensively within the borders of Ghana. The company was established in 2001, making it one of the early pioneers in the country's telecommunications industry. Its ownership is predominantly Ghanaian, reflecting a strong commitment to local investment and economic growth.