Gov’t Eyes New Partner to Revive AirtelTigo Services

The government of Ghana is working behind the scenes to breathe new life into telecom company AirtelTigo, with hopes of securing a strategic partner to take over its operations.

This was revealed by Samuel Nartey George, Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, during a high-level meeting with telecom industry leaders, including MTN, Telecel, and AirtelTigo executives.

“For the first time, I’ll put it out there—government is in talks with a strategic partner to take over and revamp AirtelTigo,” said Mr. George.

“We’re aiming to wrap up negotiations within 60 days. By the end of the third quarter, Ghanaians should begin to experience improved services.”

The move comes as part of broader efforts to fix the country’s struggling telecom sector, which has faced widespread criticism from customers for poor service quality, dropped calls, and slow internet connections.

In 2021, the government officially took over AirtelTigo from Indian telecom giant Bharti Airtel, aiming to stabilize operations. But despite the acquisition, issues in performance and coverage have persisted.

At the meeting, the National Communications Authority (NCA) presented findings from a recent nationwide quality-of-service assessment. The study spanned 48 localities and was prompted by a sharp rise in complaints from users across the country.

The data revealed major gaps in service delivery, even in urban areas where one would expect better performance. This led the minister to call for urgent improvements and deeper collaboration between telecom companies and the government.

“Access to reliable mobile and internet services is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity,” Mr. George said. “Our goal is to ensure every Ghanaian, no matter where they are, enjoys consistent, high-quality service.”

The proposed AirtelTigo revamp is also seen as a way to increase competition in the telecom space, giving Ghanaians better choices and hopefully better value.

Industry watchers say the success of this partnership could determine whether AirtelTigo becomes a stronger player or continues to struggle.

With a 60-day deadline and eyes on the third quarter, all attention now turns to which partner might step up—and whether this could mark a new era for AirtelTigo and Ghana’s digital future.