The proposed merger will unfold in three phases, beginning with the transfer of AT’s approximately 3.2 million subscribers to Telecel’s network under a national roaming agreement that is already in progress.
The second phase will focus on human resource realignment, ensuring that all 300 employees of AT remain employed under the new entity. Following that, a commercial restructuring of the combined company is expected to take about 120 days. According to local media, Minister Samuel Nartey George stated that the merger would require an investment of around US$600 million over the next four years to be sustainable. The Ghanaian government plans to contribute funds through sources like spectrum sale proceeds, but Telecel and other partners will also need to invest.
Minister George emphasized that the merger is driven by economic necessity, citing that AT, which the government acquired from Bharti Airtel and Millicom in 2021, has incurred a loss of US$10 million in just the first eight months of the year. He highlighted that such losses divert funds that could otherwise be used for essential infrastructure projects like roads, water systems, and schools.
“It makes no sense for two networks to operate separately on the same tower, both paying twice while both struggle. A merger is the smart and sustainable choice,” said George.
Currently, MTN Ghana dominates the sector with nearly 29.8 million subscribers as of June 2025, capturing about 73.8% of the market. The proposed merger between AT and Telecel, which has a subscriber base of approximately 10.5 million, would create a stronger challenger in the Ghanaian telecoms landscape and improve market competition.
