TLDR:
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AT Ghana and Telecel Ghana will merge: to form a stronger, more efficient telecom operator.
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No job losses: employees will be absorbed into the new company.
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$600 million investment needed over four years to fund operations and expansion.
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Ghana’s Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations has announced a major restructuring of the country’s telecom landscape: AT Ghana (formerly AirtelTigo) will merge with Telecel Ghana in a bid to form what officials describe as a stronger, more sustainable operator.
The decision was revealed after a staff durbar at AT Ghana’s Accra head office. Sector Minister Samuel Nartey George reassured employees that the merger won’t trigger layoffs.
“This is not a re-application process. It is simply a continuation of your contracts. Every single employee will be absorbed unless you personally decide to leave,” George told staff.
The minister emphasized that subscribers would also be protected during the transition, with customer service continuity described as a top priority.
Why the merger is happening
AT Ghana has been struggling financially, racking up losses of more than $10 million in just the first eight months of this year. The government, which owns 100 percent of AT Ghana, said it can no longer sustain the company with taxpayer money.
“These losses are covered by taxpayers’ money. That is revenue that should be going into roads, schools, and water systems. We cannot keep using public funds to support an operation that cannot sustain itself,” George said.
By combining operations, the government expects the merger to cut costs, remove duplication, and boost efficiency. “It is impractical for two operators to run separately on the same tower and both pay double while struggling. A merger is the smart and sustainable option,” the minister argued.
The transition so far
More than 3.2 million AT Ghana subscribers have already been shifted onto Telecel’s network under a national roaming arrangement, which the ministry says is 98 percent successful.
The merger will roll out in three phases:
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Technical migration – almost complete, with roaming already operational.
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Human resource alignment – absorbing all staff by the end of September.
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Commercial restructuring – creating the framework for the new business entity.
What it means for the consumer
For everyday users like you and I, the merger could be a mixed bag because currently they both have issues of thier own when it comes to coverage. On the upside, subscribers are likely to see better coverage thanks to shared infrastructure, as well as improved service reliability once technical integration is complete. Consumers may also benefit from new bundled packages or pricing incentives as the merged company tries to position itself more competitively against MTN.
What’s next
The combined operator is expected to require $600 million over the next four years to stabilize and expand operations. The government says some of that funding will come from spectrum sales, while Telecel and its partners are expected to bring in fresh capital.
Currently, the state owns 100 percent of AT Ghana and a 30 percent stake in Telecel Ghana. Both operators are still carrying significant debts to suppliers and partners, despite Telecel’s recent acquisition of Vodafone Ghana.
The merger, if successful, could reshape Ghana’s telecom industry—consolidating infrastructure, improving efficiency, and potentially creating a stronger competitor against market leaders MTN and Airtel.