Why Mobile Data Is Still Expensive in Ghana (And What Users Can Do)

A 2026 Intelligence Brief on Affordability, Structural Costs, and Practical Consumer Strategies

Executive Introduction

The numbers look good on paper. The cost of 1GB of mobile data in Ghana ranges from approximately $0.05to$1.50, depending on the provider and bundle. By this measure, Ghana compares favourably to many African peers. The government has launched a wholesale 5G network. MTN is investing US$1.1 billion over three years to expand coverage.

Yet ask any ordinary Ghanaian, and you will hear a different story. Data feels expensive. It runs out too quickly. The gap between middle-class affordability and low-income reality remains wide.

Former Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia captured this tension in his March 2026 address at the LSE Africa Summit:

“Internet access is relatively affordable for middle- and high-income groups; however, it remains costly for low-income households.”

He warned that affordability challenges risk excluding millions from meaningful participation in the digital economy, stressing that policymakers must focus not just on connectivity but on “who is online meaningfully with affordable data, adequate speeds, and reliable service.”

This ASJ report explains why data costs remain stubbornly high despite technological advances, and provides actionable strategies for consumers to reduce their monthly bills.

Part 1: The Real Cost of Data in Ghana – By the Numbers

Absolute Prices vs. Affordability

The ITU (International Telecommunication Union) considers internet affordable when the cost of a 5GB mobile data package represents less than 2% of monthly gross national income per capita.

In Ghana (2025), a 5GB mobile data package represents approximately 3.06% of monthly GNI per capita. This exceeds the affordability threshold by more than 50%.

The implication: For the average Ghanaian earner, data is roughly 50% more expensive than the internationally recognised affordability ceiling. For low-income households, the burden is far heavier.

The Disparity Problem

Bawumia’s LSE address highlighted a critical nuance: income inequality means low absolute prices do not guarantee access.

“While internet penetration across Africa has improved, access remains uneven and often limited by cost.”

A GHS 10 monthly data bundle might be trivial for an East Legon professional. For a trader living on daily earnings, that same GHS 10 represents a meaningful trade-off against food or transport. This structural inequality is why affordability remains a policy priority despite falling nominal prices.

Part 2: Why Data Remains Expensive – The Structural Causes

The high cost of mobile data in Ghana is not accidental. It is the result of specific structural factors that policymakers are only now beginning to address systematically.

1. High Energy Costs for Tower Operators (The Biggest Factor)

The most immediate and significant cost driver is electricity.

Minister for Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations, Sam George, revealed in an April 2026 interview that nearly 80% of costs for independent tower companies are tied to electricity.

Telecom towers must operate 24/7. They require power for transmission equipment, cooling, and backup systems. In Ghana’s environment of erratic grid supply and rising electricity tariffs, this operational expense is passed directly to mobile network operators (MNOs) — and ultimately to consumers.

The proposed solution: George announced plans to inaugurate an inter-sectoral committee comprising the energy, finance, and telecom sectors, alongside the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), to negotiate a specialised power tariff for tower companies. If successful, this could significantly reduce one of the largest cost components of mobile data.

2. MTN’s Dominant Market Position

MTN Ghana is not just the market leader — it is a near-monopoly.

Source: NCA data, Q4 2024

With nearly four-fifths of the data market, MTN faces limited competitive pressure to lower prices. The company positions itself as a premium provider, pricing its bundles to reflect superior network quality and reliability. While this is a legitimate business strategy in a free market, the lack of a truly competitive challenger means consumers pay more than they would in a more balanced market.

Regulatory response: The NCA designated MTN as having Significant Market Power (SMP) in 2020 and has imposed remedies, including the proposed wholesale roaming price cap.

3. The Cost of Infrastructure Deployment

Building and maintaining telecom infrastructure in Ghana is expensive.

• Imported equipment costs are affected by cedi depreciation, which has been significant over the past five years.

• Site acquisition and construction require negotiation with multiple landowners and authorities.

• Tower lease arrangements previously involved third-party companies (like IHS Towers), adding layers of cost.

MTN’s recent acquisition of IHS Towers (February 2026) is strategically significant. By controlling its own tower infrastructure, MTN can shorten approval chains and reduce lease costs. The company plans to install 500 new network sites in 2026 alone — a tenfold increase from the 50 sites built in 2025.

The paradox: While infrastructure investment improves coverage and speed, it requires capital that operators recoup through pricing. Consumers bear this cost.

4. Taxes and Levies

Although less publicly discussed, taxes on telecommunications services and imported equipment add to final consumer prices. The Communications Service Tax (CST) and other levies are embedded in bundle prices. The government has signalled potential tax adjustments as part of ongoing affordability discussions, but no concrete changes have been announced.

5. Operator Reluctance to Launch 5G

Ghana launched a national wholesale 5G network in November 2024. Yet as of mid-2026, no operator has launched commercial 5G services.

Why the delay?

• Low LTE penetration: Existing 4G/LTE networks still have sufficient capacity to manage anticipated data traffic growth.

• Insufficient user demand: The average consumer does not yet need 5G speeds for current applications.

• Spectrum allocation uncertainty: Operators are awaiting clarity on which frequency bands will be available and under what terms.

The affordability implication: 5G would increase network capacity significantly, potentially lowering per-gigabyte costs over time. The delay postpones this benefit.

Part 3: Regulatory Interventions – What the Government Is Doing

The government has recognised the affordability crisis and is moving on multiple fronts.

1. The Inter-Sectoral Committee (April 2026)

Communication Minister Sam George announced the formation of a committee to tackle high data costs, with representatives from:

• Energy sector (PURC)

• Finance sector

• Telecom sector (Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications)

• Regulatory bodies (NCA)

• Consumer advocacy groups (National Union of Ghana Students)

The mandate: Address operational burdens, particularly electricity costs for tower companies.

Scepticism note: As NewsGhana observed, cross-sector committees in Ghana have often become “graveyards for bold ideas, bogged down by bureaucratic delays or diluted by conflicting interests.” The committee’s success will depend on enforcing strict timelines and transparent metrics.

2. Proposed Wholesale Roaming Price Cap (March 2026)

The NCA opened a public consultation on replacing operator-negotiated roaming charges with regulator-determined benchmark wholesale ceiling rates.

Proposed rates:

Source: NCA Public Consultation, March 2026

What this means for consumers: By capping what MTN can charge smaller operators (Telecel, AT) for network access, the NCA aims to prevent a margin squeeze — a situation where wholesale charges are so high that smaller operators cannot offer competitive retail prices.

This should allow Telecel to compete more effectively on coverage, potentially narrowing the quality gap with MTN and putting downward pressure on retail prices.

3. Bawumia’s Call to Action (March 2026)

At LSE, Bawumia framed data affordability as a prerequisite for Africa’s AI future:

“Africa’s AI agenda is also an infrastructure agenda. Before we debate algorithms, we must be disciplined about the foundations that enable adoption at scale.”

He warned that without affordable connectivity, AI risks benefiting only a narrow segment of the population. This elevates data affordability from a consumer issue to a strategic economic competitiveness issue.

Part 4: What MTN Is Doing – Investment and Education

The US$1.1 Billion Investment

MTN Ghana plans to invest US$1.1 billion over three years to strengthen infrastructure, marking an acceleration from the previous pace of US$1 billion over five years.

Investment priorities:

• Network deployment and 4G densification

• 500 new sites in 2026 (tenfold increase from 2025)

• Large-scale data centre development

• Expanded subsea cable connectivity

Group CEO Ralph Mupita stated: “We are going to accelerate capital investment within the business. This acceleration demonstrates that Ghana remains a material operation for the Group.”

Data Usage Education

MTN has also launched a comprehensive data usage education program in response to growing concerns over rapid data depletion.

Dzudzorfe Hadzor, Coordinator for Data Devices and Home at MTN Ghana, explained: “The data usage education program seeks to reinforce MTN’s robust reputation management, seeks to deepen customer trust and belief in the brand, and empower customers with requisite knowledge on how they can manage their data.”

The program covers:

• Managing background app activity that consumes data unknowingly

• Optimising device settings

• Monitoring app-specific data usage

This is not purely altruistic — better-educated consumers who perceive fair value are more likely to remain loyal customers. But the practical benefit for users is real.

Affordable Smartphone Initiative

MTN, in partnership with HMD Global, launched the HMD Arc — an ultra-affordable 4G smartphone priced at GHS 899 (approximately US$60), significantly lower than typical entry-level smartphones.

Key features:

• 4G-enabled

• Designed for first-time smartphone users

• Purchasers receive 2.5GB of data every month for 6 months

Noel Kojo Ganson, MTN Ghana’s Chief Consumer Officer, stated: “The collaboration is aligned with MTN Ghana’s long-term strategy of deepening digital access across the country.”

Access to affordable smartphones remains one of the biggest barriers to digital participation, especially for low-income earners.

Part 5: What Users Can Do – Practical Money-Saving Strategies

While structural changes take time, individual consumers can take immediate steps to reduce their data spending.

Strategy 1: Switch to No-Expiry Bundles

The problem with most bundles: Data expires at the end of the validity period. If you buy a monthly bundle and use only half, you lose the rest.

The solution: Telecel’s No-Expiry bundles keep your data until you use it all.

Who this helps most: Light users, occasional browsers, anyone who does not use data daily.

Strategy 2: Use Night/Off-Peak Bundles for Large Downloads

If you can schedule downloads between midnight and 5 AM, Telecel’s Night King bundles offer the cheapest per-gigabyte rates in Ghana.

Practical uses: Software updates, streaming downloads, backing up photos, downloading courses or entertainment for offline viewing.

Strategy 3: Combine Networks Using Dual SIM

The most sophisticated Accra users do not choose one network — they use both.

The hybrid setup:

• Primary SIM (MTN): For reliable voice and daytime data, especially for work.

• Secondary SIM (Telecel): For no-expiry data stockpiling and cheap night downloads.

How it works:

1. Buy a Telecel GHS 50 no-expiry bundle (4.4GB) as your “data bank” — lasts months.

2. Use MTN for daily connectivity when you need guaranteed speed.

3. Switch to Telecel for large downloads scheduled overnight.

4. Keep both SIMs in a dual-SIM phone (most modern smartphones support this).

Potential savings: 30-40% reduction in total monthly communications spending compared to relying solely on MTN.

Strategy 4: Control Background Data Usage

MTN’s education program highlights a common culprit: apps consuming data in the background without your knowledge.

Steps to take:

1. On Android: Settings → Network & Internet → Data Usage → Select app → Restrict background data.

2. On iPhone: Settings → Cellular → Scroll down → Toggle off for apps that don’t need background refresh.

3. Disable auto-play: In Instagram, Facebook, Twitter settings, set videos to play only on Wi-Fi.

4. Download maps offline: Google Maps allows downloading entire cities for offline use.

Strategy 5: Take Advantage of Free Wi-Fi and Ad-Funded Models

Free public Wi-Fi: Many Accra locations offer free Wi-Fi — malls (Accra Mall, Marina Mall), cafes, restaurants, and some public transport hubs.

Tizeti’s ad-funded model: The West African ISP Tizeti is testing a service where users watch short video advertisements on public Wi-Fi hotspots and receive free data in exchange.

*“By rolling out reward-based internet access across Nigeria and Ghana, we are expanding connectivity without financial barriers while offering brands a platform to reach more than 2.5 million active users.”*
— Nsikak Asuquo, Tizeti Director for West Africa

The service is available across Tizeti’s network of public Wi-Fi hotspots. Users connected to a hotspot watch a short ad and immediately receive free data, repeating the process to extend their session.

Strategy 6: Choose the Right Bundle for Your Usage Profile

Part 6: Emerging Alternatives – New Models on the Horizon

Tizeti’s Ad-Funded Internet

The most innovative current alternative is Tizeti’s reward-based internet access. Users watch ads; they receive data. Brands reach an engaged audience; consumers connect for free.

Current status: Testing in public Wi-Fi hotspots across Nigeria and Ghana. Google’s advertising platform has been integrated, allowing brands to run targeted campaigns.

Limitation: Tizeti’s “FreeFiber” broadband service is currently available only in specific Accra locations, but expansion is expected.

Community Networks and Shared Data

Some communities and workplaces are experimenting with shared data plans — one individual or organisation purchases a large bundle and shares access via Wi-Fi hotspot. This is not yet formalised by operators but works for families, student hostels, and small offices.

Part 7: What to Expect in 2027 and Beyond

If Government Reforms Succeed

Sam George’s inter-sectoral committee has the potential to address the 80% electricity cost that drives tower operating expenses. If a specialised power tariff is negotiated and implemented, the savings could flow through to consumers.

Timeline: The committee is expected to be unveiled within 14 days of the April 2026 announcement. Concrete outcomes may take 6-12 months.

If Roaming Price Caps Are Implemented

The NCA’s proposed wholesale roaming ceiling of GH¢0.0032 per MB would significantly reduce the cost for smaller operators to use MTN’s infrastructure. This could enable Telecel to offer competitive coverage outside its current strongholds (East Legon, Airport Residential), narrowing the quality gap with MTN and increasing competitive pressure on pricing.

When 5G Finally Arrives

Commercial 5G services are expected in late 2026 or 2027, though operators remain reluctant. When they do launch, increased network capacity should lower per-gigabyte costs — as seen in other markets where 5G reduced data costs by 40-60% over 4G within three years.

The government’s 70% 5G population coverage target by March 2027 provides a deadline for progress.

The Structural Challenge: Income Inequality

Bawumia’s core warning remains relevant: even if nominal data prices fall, affordability for low-income households will remain constrained by income inequality and the structure of the informal sector.

“Policymakers must focus not just on connectivity, but on who is online meaningfully with affordable data, adequate speeds, and reliable service.”

Data affordability is ultimately an economic inclusion issue, not merely a telecom pricing issue.

ASJ’s Conclusion

Mobile data in Ghana is expensive for structural reasons that no single actor can solve alone. High electricity costs for tower operators, MTN’s dominant market position, the capital-intensive nature of infrastructure deployment, and regressive income inequality all contribute.

The government is moving — an inter-sectoral committee is being formed, wholesale roaming price caps are under consultation, and consumer advocates are at the table. MTN is investing US$1.1 billion in infrastructure and launching affordable smartphones. Regulators are tightening quality standards.

But these changes will take time. In the meantime, individual consumers can act.

The most effective immediate strategy is the dual-SIM approach: use MTN for reliability when needed, but stockpile Telecel no-expiry data for baseline usage and schedule large downloads during Night King hours. This hybrid model can cut monthly data spending by 30-40% without sacrificing connectivity.

For the lightest users, Telecel’s GHS 5 no-expiry bundle (550MB) may last two months — an effective monthly cost of GHS 2.50. For night owls, Telecel’s Night King offers data at GHS 0.83 per GB — the best value in Ghana.

The path to truly affordable data for all Ghanaians — not just middle-class urbanites — requires continued regulatory pressure, infrastructure investment, and consumer vigilance. The tools exist. The political will appears present. Now the work begins.

Quick Facts Box

Last Updated on May 9, 2026 by Samuel Kwame Boadu

Samuel Kwame Boadu

Samuel Kwame Boadu is a Ghanaian media entrepreneur and storyteller with a passion for amplifying urban voices and uncovering everyday truths. He is the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of Accra Street Journal, a dynamic digital platform dedicated to capturing the pulse of Ghana’s capital—its people, culture, challenges, business, sports and innovations.

accrastreetjournal.com/