Gov’t moves to merge AT Ghana and Telecel in $600m rescue plan

The government has announced plans to merge AT Ghana (formerly AirtelTigo) with Telecel Ghana to form what it describes as a stronger and more sustainable telecom operator.

Speaking at a staff engagement at AT Ghana’s head office in Accra, the Minister of Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, assured workers that no jobs would be lost under the new arrangement.

“This is not a re-application process. It is a continuation of your contracts. Everyone of you will be absorbed, unless you personally choose to leave,” he said.

Sam George also assured customers that their interests would be fully protected throughout the transition.

The move, according to the ministry, is in response to AT Ghana’s fragile financial position, with the operator recording more than $10 million in losses within the first eight months of 2025. The minister stressed that sustaining such losses with public funds was not viable.

“These losses are funded by taxpayers. That is money that should be building roads, water systems, and schools. We cannot keep pouring public funds into unsustainable operations,” he noted.

He added that the merger would cut costs, eliminate duplication, and strengthen competition in Ghana’s telecoms market.

“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,” Mr. George explained.

Already, over 3.2 million AT subscribers have been integrated into Telecel’s network under a national roaming agreement, a process the ministry described as 98 percent smooth.

The merger will be executed in three phases:

Technical migration – nearly complete, with roaming already in place.
Human resource alignment – ensuring all staff are absorbed by the end of September.
Commercial restructuring – to establish the framework for the merged operator.

On financing, the minister revealed that the new entity will require $600 million over the next four years. The government plans to provide resources, including revenue from spectrum sales, while encouraging Telecel and other partners to co-invest.

Currently, the government owns 100 percent of AT Ghana and 30 percent of Telecel Ghana. Both companies, however, continue to grapple with debts to vendors and partners, despite Telecel’s recent takeover of Vodafone Ghana.

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