The richest man in Asia, Mukesh Ambani, is planning to launch a telecom business in Africa with the goal of luring mobile broadband users in high-growth regions.

Next-Gen Infra Company, based in Ghana, would receive vital network infrastructure, applications, and smartphones from Radisys Corp, a subsidiary of Mukesh Ambani controlled Reliance Industries Ltd, according to Harkirit Singh, Executive Director of NGIC. Prior to NGIC’s official announcement in Mumbai on Monday, Singh described these ambitions.

By the end of this year, NGIC intends to begin operations and supply 5G broadband services to Ghanaian internet service providers and mobile operators.

According to Singh, Bloomberg News, “the company is built on the foundation of creating affordable digital services in emerging markets.”

Microsoft Corp., which has been concentrating on the telecom industry since purchasing two cloud networking companies in 2020, Nokia Oyj, and Indian outsourcer Tech Mahindra Ltd. are among the other strategic partners in NGIC.

With a population of over 33 million, Ghana is a West African nation with three major operators: MTN Ghana, Vodafone Ghana, and the government-owned AirtelTigo. Singh pointed out that NGIC will be able to offer substantial broadband services, which would be a significant investment for individual mobile carriers, thanks to its strategic partners, technological prowess, and exclusive 5G license.

Ascend Digital Solutions Ltd. and K-Net, two African telecom firms, own a combined 55% of the new business, according to Singh. Ten percent of NGIC will be owned by the Ghanaian government, with the rest shares going to private investors and regional mobile operators. Singh leads Ascend as its CEO as well.

Even though its license is only good for 15 years, NGIC will be the only company in Ghana to provide 5G services for ten years. Singh states that the estimated capital expenditure for the company over the next three years is $145 million.

The company wants to do in India what Mukesh Ambani Jio Infocomm Ltd. did. When Jio introduced its low-cost broadband and free phone calling telecom services in late 2016, some competitors closed and others consolidated. for 470 million users, Jio is currently the largest mobile operator in India and is largely recognized for making mobile data accessible for millions of Indians.

The statement from NGIC stated that it will “provide affordable mobile broadband services and devices to the people of Ghana, replicating the success of India’s low-cost mobile data revolution.” Ursula Owusu-Ekuful is the Minister for Communications and Digitalization in Ghana.

With initiatives like digital inclusion, India has been attempting to challenge China’s expanding influence in Africa. The Reliance-NGIC alliance is a diplomatic triumph for India in this regard.

As of right now, Reliance and the other strategic partners don’t own any stock in NGIC. Singh did, however, note that the business might eventually give them the choice to accept a portion of their contributions as shares.

“First, we need to demonstrate the value we create before they come on board,” Singh stated. “That’s the discussion we are having with them.”Mukesh Ambani is planning to launch a telecom business in Africa that will target users of mobile broadband. Bloomberg reports that Ghana-based Next-Gen Infraco (NGIC) will receive vital network infrastructure, apps, and smartphones from Radisys Corp, a division of Mukesh Ambani-controlled Reliance Industries Ltd. Harkirit Singh, the executive director of NGIC, stated that the business intends to begin operations by the end of this year and that the plans will be disclosed soon.

Mukesh Ambani, the Chairman and Managing Director of Reliance Industries Ltd., pictured in Mumbai. (PTI)
According to Singh, NGIC would supply internet service providers and mobile carriers in Ghana with 5G broadband services. The foundation of the business, he underlined, is “creating affordable digital services in emerging markets.”

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According to the study, Microsoft Corp., Tech Mahindra Ltd., and Nokia Oyj are among NGIC’s partners. Three major providers serve Ghana: AirtelTigo, which is run by the government, MTN Ghana, and Vodafone Ghana. Singh clarified that the firm will be able to build extended broadband services, which would otherwise be a huge investment for individual mobile carriers, thanks to NGIC’s strategic partners, technical expertise, and exclusive 5G license in Ghana.

He said that the Ghanaian government will own slightly less than 10% of NGIC, while two African telecom firms, Ascend Digital Solutions Ltd. and K-Net, jointly own a 55% stake in the new business. In addition, Singh stated that NGIC, upon paying $145 million in capital over three years, will be the only company in Ghana authorized to provide 5G services for ten years.

Ghana’s Minister for Communications and Digitalization, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, announced that NGIC will offer low-cost mobile broadband services and devices to the Ghanaian populace, following the model of India’s successful low-cost mobile data revolution.