Telco debts, tariff delays, cedi-dollar losses cripple Afriwave -

Ghana’s Interconnect Clearinghouse (ICH) operator, Afriwave Telecom Ghana Limited, is facing a major financial crisis that threatens to undermine its operations and the stability of the country’s telecommunications interconnection system.

According to the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afriwave Telecom, Mr. David Poku, the company’s finances have been severely strained by three major challenges: mounting debt owed by some Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), a four-year delay in the review of ICH service charges, and the denomination of the ICH service tariff in Ghana cedis while the company’s key expenses are charged in U.S. dollars.

He disclosed these during a series of high-level stakeholder meetings held with Vice-President Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, and Director-General of the National Communications Authority (NCA), Rev. Ing. Edmund Yirenkyi Fianko.

The meetings were part of Afriwave’s engagement efforts to brief government and regulatory officials on the current state of the ICH and to appeal for urgent intervention to ensure the sustainability of the Ghanaian-owned enterprise.

Mounting debt and tariff challenges

Mr. Poku revealed that some telecom operators have accumulated significant arrears in service charges owed to Afriwave for the use of its Interconnect Clearinghouse platform — a situation that has crippled the company’s cash flow.

He noted that the unpaid debts have hindered Afriwave’s ability to meet key financial obligations, including payments to its service providers and statutory remittances to state institutions.

“The delay in settling these debts by some Mobile Network Operators is seriously affecting our ability to operate efficiently and fulfil our commitments,” Mr. Poku lamented.

He further explained that Afriwave’s financial difficulties have been compounded by the prolonged four-year delay in the review of ICH service charges, which has prevented the company from adjusting its tariffs to reflect rising operational costs.

“Our service charge has not been reviewed in four years,” he stated, adding that the stagnation has placed a heavy strain on the company amid rising inflation, energy costs, and currency volatility.

Cedi-Dollar mismatch deepens financial strain

Mr. Poku also highlighted the challenge of currency mismatch, noting that while Afriwave’s service charges are denominated in Ghana cedis, most of its vendors and service providers bill the company in U.S. dollars.

This, he said, has exposed Afriwave to exchange rate losses, especially during periods of cedi depreciation.

“When the cedi depreciates against the dollar, our costs rise exponentially, yet our revenues remain static. This affects the financial viability of our business,” he explained.

The Board Chairman appealed to the government and the regulator to consider indexing the ICH service tariff to the exchange rate or establishing a more predictable review mechanism to safeguard the company’s sustainability.

He concluded his presentation with a passionate plea for government assistance:

“We are a fully Ghanaian-owned company. We need support to stand on our feet and continue delivering a service that ensures fairness, transparency, and efficiency in the telecom industry. We also assure the Minister and all stakeholders of our continued commitment to the growth of the sector.”

A pillar of Ghana’s telecom connectivity

Afriwave’s Interconnect Clearinghouse (ICH) serves as the central hub that links all Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) in Ghana — including MTN, Telecel (formerly Vodafone), AT, and others — ensuring seamless interconnection between networks.

The ICH allows subscribers on one network to communicate effortlessly with users on another, thereby serving as a critical infrastructure for voice and data interoperability in the country’s multi-operator telecom landscape.

Before its establishment, MNOs relied on bilateral interconnection agreements, which often resulted in billing disputes, delayed settlements, and inaccurate traffic measurements.

Since the ICH became operational, however, it has streamlined inter-operator settlements, enhanced transparency, and eliminated longstanding revenue leakages in both domestic and international call traffic.

The system also connects licensed International Wholesale Carriers (IWCs), ensuring that inbound international calls are properly tracked and billed, closing avenues for grey-route traffic and fraud.

Vice-President pledges govt support

At a courtesy call on Vice-President Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, the Afriwave delegation briefed her on the ICH’s contributions to Ghana’s telecom industry and the pressing challenges confronting the company.

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang acknowledged the critical concerns raised and pledged the government’s intervention.

She emphasized that the government was committed to formulating supportive policies that would not only sustain local enterprises like Afriwave but also enable their regional expansion.

“Your concerns are valid and well noted. The government will take steps to address the issues to ensure that indigenous players like Afriwave continue to thrive,” she assured.

The Vice-President further commended Afriwave for maintaining a high standard of transparency and reliability in Ghana’s interconnection regime, noting that the ICH remains a cornerstone of the country’s telecom integrity.

Minister promises action and regulatory scrutiny

During a follow-up meeting, the Minister of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, expressed appreciation for Afriwave’s efforts in maintaining transparency and efficiency in the telecom ecosystem.

He acknowledged the financial and operational challenges raised by the company and promised to convene a meeting with the NCA to chart a sustainable path forward.

“We will engage the regulator on the issues you have raised and work out a fair solution that ensures the continued health of the telecom sector,” he said.

Mr. George also emphasized that all telecom licences due for renewal will henceforth be scrutinized carefully before approval, as part of a broader effort to uphold integrity and compliance in the industry.

“We will ensure that all players meet their obligations before their licences are renewed. But we are also committed to supporting companies like Afriwave to reach greater heights,” he affirmed.

NCA pledges collaboration

The Director-General of the National Communications Authority, Rev. Ing. Edmund Yirenkyi Fianko, welcomed the Afriwave team and praised the company for its consistent role in strengthening Ghana’s telecom infrastructure.

He acknowledged the validity of the concerns raised and assured Afriwave of the NCA’s readiness to collaborate on solutions.

“The Authority is pleased with your visit and the candour with which you have shared your challenges. We will work closely with you to address them and to continue developing the telecom industry for the benefit of all Ghanaians,” Rev. Fianko stated.

Looking ahead

As the sole licensed Interconnect Clearinghouse operator in Ghana, Afriwave’s stability remains vital to the telecom industry’s efficiency and trust framework.

Its challenges — if left unresolved — could have ripple effects across the entire sector, affecting inter-operator settlements, traffic monitoring, and regulatory oversight.

With assurances from the Vice-President, the Communications Minister, and the NCA Director-General, industry watchers are hopeful that decisive government action will soon follow to preserve one of Ghana’s key digital infrastructure assets.

For now, Afriwave continues to operate under financial strain — but also with renewed optimism that its appeal for support will lead to tangible policy relief and a more sustainable future for Ghana’s telecom interconnection system.