MTN Ghana Implements NCA’s Order and Disconnects 4.9 Million SIM Cards

In compliance with the National Communications Authority’s (NCA) directive to block unregistered SIM cards, MTN Ghana has disconnected approximately 4.9 million SIMs over the last six months. The company, Ghana’s leading telecoms provider, disclosed its interim results for 2023 today, revealing a decline in subscriber numbers due to the SIM-blocking exercise.

MTN Ghana reported that its subscriber base decreased by 1.6% year-on-year, reaching 27.3 million users. The full impact of the disconnections is expected to become visible 90 days after the disconnection date, leading to a projected drop in reported subscribers in the second half of 2023.

The disconnection exercise applied to most subscribers; however, merchants, agents, and individuals facing difficulties with their Ghana Card were exempted from the action.

Despite the challenges posed by inflation, MTN Ghana’s performance remained robust in the first half of 2023. The company witnessed notable growth in active data subscribers, which increased by 7.6% to 14.1 million, and active Mobile Money (MoMo) users, rising by 21.5% to 14.2 million.

MTN Ghana’s service revenue saw significant growth, reaching GHS 6.2 billion, a 32.3% increase, while earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) surged by 29.4% to GHS 3.5 billion.

Selorm Adadevoh, CEO of MTN Ghana, expressed confidence in the company’s strategy and projected a high-20s percentage growth for service revenue in the medium term. He highlighted the company’s focus on network expansion and infrastructure deployment, which has contributed to reaching 99.3% 4G coverage of the population.