NCA Hosts South Africa’s ICASA on Benchmark Visit

May 28, 2025: The National Communications Authority (NCA) is hosting a three-member delegation from the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) on a benchmark visit from 28^th to 30^th May, 2025 at the NCA Tower in Accra. The purpose of the visit is to enhance bilateral collaboration and exchange knowledge regarding the NCA’s contribution on universal access implementation strategies.

Welcoming the delegation, Rev. Ing. Edmund Y. Fianko, Acting Director General of the NCA, underscored the long-standing bilateral relationship between Ghana and South Africa and expressed appreciation for ICASA’s decision to benchmark with Ghana. He highlighted the pivotal role played by the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC) in driving universal access, noting that licensed operators contribute 1% of their revenue to the Fund to support ICT infrastructure in underserved communities.

“This structure has enabled GIFEC to establish telephony sites in rural and underserved areas across the country,” Rev. Fianko noted. “With the primary goal of bridging the digital divide, GIFEC’s infrastructure has supported basic 2G and 3G mobile connectivity, significantly improving access to voice and data services in rural communities.” He added that the NCA works in close collaboration with other state institutions such as the Ministry of Roads and Highways, Ministry of Transport, and the Civil Aviation Authority to ensure that broadband infrastructure is deployed with minimal disruption to critical national infrastructure.

Providing context for the visit, Councillor Cathrine Mushi, a Board Member of ICASA, explained that the benchmark visit aligns with South Africa’s 2030 Vision to ensure universal broadband access for all. However, she noted that South Africa currently faces challenges due to differing legal frameworks that limit uniform broadband deployment across the country. As such, the delegation is in Ghana to learn how Ghana’s laws and regulatory frameworks have facilitated widespread broadband deployment, especially in hard-to-reach areas.

Mr. Eric Nkopodi, Senior Manager of Engineering and Technology at ICASA, elaborated on South Africa’s current efforts to develop deployment frameworks, including defining rights-of-way, dispute resolution mechanisms, and strategies to assess infrastructure needs in rural regions. He acknowledged that Ghana’s experiences, especially the coordination between regulatory authorities and agencies like GIFEC, offer a valuable model for consideration.

As part of the visit, the ICASA delegation will engage with key stakeholders, including the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC), American Tower Company (ATC), the West Africa Cable System (WACS), and representatives from selected Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs). The delegation will also participate in a series of technical meetings to gain deeper insight into the structures, partnerships, and policies driving Ghana’s progress toward full digital inclusion.