Ghana: National Communications Authority gives conditional approval to merger of Tigo and Airtel

Ghana’s National Communications Authority (NCA) has granted conditional approval for the merger of wireless providers, Tigo Ghana and Airtel Ghana, Adom News reported, citing a circular that the operators’ managers sent their respective employees.
The news portal said the carriers received a letter from the NCA on 14 September, giving conditional approval. Sources within government confirmed that conditional approval has been given, but the two operators are yet to return to the NCA regarding the conditions.

The 2 networks agreed in March to merge their operations, based on equal ownership and governance rights.
It has been 6 months and the merger has still not fully materialized.

Workers of both companies have been anxious about their fate in the whole process, while some have just jumped ship to avoid any surprises. The issue of double spectrum and its implications for the market and for consumers, plus the government’s minority stake in Airtel, are some of the reasons for the delay.

If Tigo and Airtel finally come together, the new entity would become Ghana’s 2nd largest operator, serving around 10 million subscribers with revenues close to US$ 300 million.
MTN Ghana will still remain market leader, but Vodafone, which is now second, will be pushed to 3rd place.

Source: Telecom Paper