Merger of AT and Telecel announced by the Minister of Communications retracted
A major policy announcement by the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations regarding a supposed merger between Airtel Tigo Ghana and Telecel Ghana has been thrown into confusion, with fresh developments suggesting the plan may not exist after all.
Earlier this week, sector minister Samuel Nartey George, while addressing staff of AT Ghana, reportedly stated that the government had approved a merger of the two telecom operators to create a “stronger and more sustainable” company.
He assured staff that none of the over 300 permanent workers would lose their jobs, stressing that existing contracts would continue under the new arrangement.
The announcement, which was carried on both government and ministerial social media platforms, cited AT Ghana’s precarious financial position — including losses of more than $10 million in just eight months — as justification for the move.
The minister argued that taxpayers could not continue funding the company’s operations, insisting that merging AT Ghana with Telecel would reduce duplication and strengthen competition in the market.
He also outlined a three-phase integration plan covering technical migration, staff alignment, and commercial restructuring, while disclosing that the merged entity would require US $600 million in financing over the next four years.
However, in a surprising twist, all official posts and press statements on the merger have since been quietly taken down from both government and personal platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Background
The merger follows years of turbulence in Ghana’s telecom sector. AirtelTigo (rebranded as AT) was formed in 2017 after the merger of Airtel Ghana and Tigo but continued to struggle financially. In 2021, the Government of Ghana took over full ownership of the company after Bharti Airtel and Millicom pulled out, citing persistent losses.
Telecel Group, a pan-African operator, later acquired a majority stake in Vodafone Ghana in 2022 and rebranded it as Telecel Ghana in 2023. The government’s decision to back a merger between AT and Telecel reflects efforts to consolidate the industry, reduce costs, and ensure long-term sustainability.
Sector analysts note that Ghana’s telecom market is heavily dominated by MTN, which controls more than 65% of mobile subscriptions, leaving rivals scrambling for market share. Authorities have said the AT–Telecel merger is intended to create a stronger challenger to MTN and prevent further job losses in the sector.
