Cabinet Approves New Nationwide SIM Registration Exercise After Review of Previous Process

Ghana’s Minister for Communications and Digitalisation, Samuel Nartey George, has announced that Cabinet has approved a new nationwide SIM registration exercise following a comprehensive review of the previous registration process.

According to the Minister, the earlier exercise encountered several challenges, including weak biometric enforcement, inconsistencies in data, and instances of registration fraud.

He disclosed this during a high-level meeting with the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications and the National Communications Authority, where discussions focused on the upcoming SIM registration exercise and Ghana’s roadmap for rolling out 5G technology.

Mr. George explained that the new registration initiative will not simply extend the previous process but will instead represent a complete overhaul designed to enhance credibility, strengthen security, and improve data integrity.

Key Features of the New Registration System

During the discussions, the Minister highlighted several major elements of the new framework.

He revealed that the National Communications Authority will act as the central repository for all SIM registration data, while biometric verification will be compulsory under the revised system.

In addition, a Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) will be introduced to allow telecom networks to block stolen or fraud-linked mobile devices across all operators.

Mr. George also announced that government is preparing a revised Legislative Instrument (L.I.) to provide the legal framework to regulate the new exercise.

Although telecom operators welcomed the initiative, some raised operational concerns during the meeting. Authorities are yet to announce when the new registration exercise will begin or how its implementation will be financed.

The upcoming programme will become Ghana’s second nationwide SIM registration drive after the 2021 exercise, which the current administration says was affected by multiple technical and operational challenges.

Government’s 5G Strategy

The meeting also addressed Ghana’s strategy for deploying 5G technology.

Mr. George revealed that Cabinet has approved the removal of the exclusivity clause that previously governed the wholesale 5G framework. This decision will allow for a competitive spectrum auction among telecom operators.

While the wholesale model itself has not been scrapped, the revised framework will enable network-based deployment, allowing operators to roll out 5G services more widely.

A new spectrum auction is expected to take place soon as part of efforts to accelerate the rollout while maintaining fairness within the telecommunications market.

Telecom operators at the meeting noted that 5G deployment is highly capital-intensive, requiring substantial investment in spectrum acquisition, infrastructure upgrades, and network expansion.

They therefore called for reasonable spectrum pricing, predictable policy direction, and efficient regulatory approvals to facilitate rapid deployment.

Next Steps

The meeting concluded with an agreement for continued technical engagements between the Ministry, the National Communications Authority, the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications and telecom operators.

Immediate next steps include finalising the revised Legislative Instrument governing the new SIM registration exercise and publishing documentation for the upcoming 5G spectrum auction, as part of broader reforms aimed at strengthening national security, improving service quality and accelerating Ghana’s digital transformation.