About us

Pioneers, partners, and builders of Africa’s digital future

The US$7 Million EXIM Bank facility for MTS facilitated by City Express Bank through Soitel Capital Crp.
The US$7 Million EXIM Bank facility for MTS facilitated by City Express Bank through Soitel Capital Crp. From left MD/CEO of City Express Bank, Mrs Sola Adeoti, Director of Exim Bank, Mr. Joseph Grandmaison, Arvid Knutse, Charles Kimbrough, Truls Adresen, Dr. Juwah, Ms. Jane Edu
Director of US Exim Bank Joseph Grandmaison, making a call with MTS phone in Lagos
Director of US Exim Bank Joseph Grandmaison, making a call with MTS phone in Lagos
The first set of Chinese Engineers to Nigeria coming in to begin deployment of CDMA 2000 1X.
The first set of Chinese Engineers to Nigeria coming in to begin deployment of CDMA 2000 1X: From left: Ding Tao, Dr Eugene Juwah, Ni Jian Zhong, Charles Kimbrough, Yu Jianhong
Accenture team from South Africa brainstorming with the MTS team.
Accenture team from South Africa brainstorming with the MTS team on Network Rollout Strategy for CDMA 2000 1x and Long Distance Communications Carrier Services
Dr. Brian Johnson, Nana Aggrey and His Excellency Najib Mikati PM of Lebanon
Dr. Brian Johnson MD Spacefon Bosnia, Nana Aggrey Vice Chairman of ScanCom, Center: His Excellency Najib Mikati PM of Lebanon and Co-founder of ScanCom
The US$7 Million EXIM Bank facility for MTS facilitated by City Express Bank through Soitel Capital Crp.
The US$7 Million EXIM Bank facility for MTS facilitated by City Express Bank through Soitel Capital Crp. From left MD/CEO of City Express Bank, Mrs Sola Adeoti, Director of Exim Bank, Mr. Joseph Grandmaison, Arvid Knutse, Charles Kimbrough, Truls Adresen, Dr. Juwah, Ms. Jane Edu
Director of US Exim Bank Joseph Grandmaison, making a call with MTS phone in Lagos
Director of US Exim Bank Joseph Grandmaison, making a call with MTS phone in Lagos
The first set of Chinese Engineers to Nigeria coming in to begin deployment of CDMA 2000 1X.
The first set of Chinese Engineers to Nigeria coming in to begin deployment of CDMA 2000 1X: From left: Ding Tao, Dr Eugene Juwah, Ni Jian Zhong, Charles Kimbrough, Yu Jianhong
Accenture team from South Africa brainstorming with the MTS team.
Accenture team from South Africa brainstorming with the MTS team on Network Rollout Strategy for CDMA 2000 1x and Long Distance Communications Carrier Services
Dr. Brian Johnson, Nana Aggrey and His Excellency Najib Mikati PM of Lebanon
Dr. Brian Johnson MD Spacefon Bosnia, Nana Aggrey Vice Chairman of ScanCom, Center: His Excellency Najib Mikati PM of Lebanon and Co-founder of ScanCom
The US$7 Million EXIM Bank facility for MTS facilitated by City Express Bank through Soitel Capital Crp.
The US$7 Million EXIM Bank facility for MTS facilitated by City Express Bank through Soitel Capital Crp. From left MD/CEO of City Express Bank, Mrs Sola Adeoti, Director of Exim Bank, Mr. Joseph Grandmaison, Arvid Knutse, Charles Kimbrough, Truls Adresen, Dr. Juwah, Ms. Jane Edu
Director of US Exim Bank Joseph Grandmaison, making a call with MTS phone in Lagos
Director of US Exim Bank Joseph Grandmaison, making a call with MTS phone in Lagos
The first set of Chinese Engineers to Nigeria coming in to begin deployment of CDMA 2000 1X.
The first set of Chinese Engineers to Nigeria coming in to begin deployment of CDMA 2000 1X: From left: Ding Tao, Dr Eugene Juwah, Ni Jian Zhong, Charles Kimbrough, Yu Jianhong
Accenture team from South Africa brainstorming with the MTS team.
Accenture team from South Africa brainstorming with the MTS team on Network Rollout Strategy for CDMA 2000 1x and Long Distance Communications Carrier Services
Dr. Brian Johnson, Nana Aggrey and His Excellency Najib Mikati PM of Lebanon
Dr. Brian Johnson MD Spacefon Bosnia, Nana Aggrey Vice Chairman of ScanCom, Center: His Excellency Najib Mikati PM of Lebanon and Co-founder of ScanCom
Who We Are
Afritel is a mobile telecommunications consulting and management company with deep expertise in launching, scaling, and optimizing telecom operations across Africa. Our work spans over three decades of industry firsts, regulatory innovation, and infrastructure strategy.
Government and regulatory consulting
Public-private telecom partnerships
Infrastructure deployment oversight
Network performance optimization
Policy and spectrum strategy
Inclusive rural connectivity design
networking cables

Our Mission

To deliver expert telecommunications consulting and management services that empower African governments, regulators, and operators to build secure, scalable, and inclusive digital communications networks for national development.

Our Vision

To become Africa’s most trusted telecommunications consulting and management partner—shaping the continent’s digital landscape through innovation, excellence, and strategic collaboration.

wooden map of Africa
Technology Meets Transformation
Through a unique blend of technical, regulatory, and business acumen, we help clients implement modern communications systems that unlock economic opportunity, social inclusion, and national development.
92%
Customer satisfaction rate.
50+
Research partnerships.
99.7%
Uptime guaranteed.
3,000+
Human-centric projects delivered.
strategic alliance
Growing impact

Strategic Alliance

In pursuit of expanded impact, Afritel has built partnerships to co-invest in and develop mobile telecommunications infrastructure across Ghana and Africa. These partnerships bring together global capital, innovation, and local market expertise to accelerate digital transformation across the region.

Management

Afritel is led by a seasoned team of professionals with extensive experience in telecommunications, infrastructure development, policy advisory, and business operations across Africa and globally.

Our leadership combines decades of strategic insight in launching and managing mobile networks, advising regulatory bodies, and guiding public-private partnerships that have shaped the telecommunications landscape in multiple countries. The team brings a strong blend of technical expertise, commercial acumen, and an unwavering commitment to innovation and inclusive digital growth.
Nana Richmond Aggrey is a pioneer of Africa’s telecom revolution. As founder of Afritel and co-founder of MTS Nigeria and ScanCom Ghana (now MTN Ghana), he has transformed the region’s digital trajectory. Nana is also a co-founder of Addax Petroleum and currently chairs Osam Energy Company, NobleRich Refineries, and Double Crown Investments. A seasoned entrepreneur, Nana is known for uniting public and private sector stakeholders to drive large-scale innovation in infrastructure, energy, and telecommunications.
Nana Richmond Aggrey
Chief Executive Officer
read bio
Ami Bello is a strategic operations expert with cross-sector experience in telecom infrastructure, government contracting, and international development. He has led critical tech infrastructure projects for U.S. government agencies and advised African governments on trade and connectivity. Ami is the founder of Global Trade Project, a former consultant at The WhitakerGroup, and current COO of Osam Energy Company. He holds a degree in Economics fromHoward University, attended George Washington University, and earned a ProjectManagement Certificate from Cornell University.
Ami Bello
Chief Operating Officer
read bio

Our History

A Legacy of Firsts
Afritel was founded in 1988 by telecommunications visionary Nana Richmond Aggrey, driven by the belief that Africa’s social and economic transformation depends on digital connectivity.

At a time when mobile phones were just beginning to gain traction globally, Nana recognized their revolutionary potential for Africa—particularly in addressing poverty, disease, food insecurity, and underdevelopment.
Pioneering Nigeria’s First Mobile Network

In 1990, Afritel (then Digital Communications Limited, Atlanta) made history by partnering with Nigeria’s government-owned NITEL to launch Mobile Telecommunications Services(MTS)—Africa’s first commercial mobile network. With technical partners like Motorola, Huawei, and Eastcom, MTS deployed services across major cities, using cutting-edge ETACS technology and microwave connectivity.

Within two years, MTS had onboarded over 400,000 subscribers, introducing mobile telephony to Nigeria at scale and making it the continent’s fastest adopter of mobile technology at the time.
‍

MTS was also the first company to:

  • Build its own billing and roaming systems
  • Design and install microwave long-range backhaul
  • Create prepaid voice systems and interconnect platforms
The Rise of MTS First Wireless

In 1999, the Nigerian government liberalized the telecom sector, issuing licenses for private

participation. Afritel, through MTS, received licenses as:
‍

  • A National Wireless Telephony Operator
  • National Long-Distance Carrier
  • International Data Gateway Operator
  • Internet Service Provider


This marked the launch of MTS First Wireless, the first Nigerian operator to deploy CDMA

2001x technology, combining high-speed data with clear voice—decades ahead of its time.

Expansion into Ghana
Afritel expanded regionally by participating in Ghana’s GSM licensing process in the mid-1990s.As a founding partner of ScanCom Ghana Ltd. (later Areeba, now MTN Ghana), Afritel helped launch Ghana’s earliest GSM networks and set the stage for today’s dominant market players.
A Legacy of Firsts
Afritel was founded in 1988 by telecommunications visionary Nana Richmond Aggrey, driven by the belief that Africa’s social and economic transformation depends on digital connectivity.

At a time when mobile phones were just beginning to gain traction globally, Nana recognized their revolutionary potential for Africa—particularly in addressing poverty, disease, food insecurity, and underdevelopment.

In 1990, Afritel (then Digital Communications Limited, Atlanta) made history by partnering with Nigeria’s government-owned NITEL to launch Mobile Telecommunications Services(MTS)—Africa’s first commercial mobile network. With technical partners like Motorola, Huawei, and Eastcom, MTS deployed services across major cities, using cutting-edge ETACS technology and microwave connectivity.

Within two years, MTS had onboarded over 400,000 subscribers, introducing mobile telephony to Nigeria at scale and making it the continent’s fastest adopter of mobile technology at the time.
‍

MTS was also the first company to:

  • Build its own billing and roaming systems
  • Design and install microwave long-range backhaul
  • Create prepaid voice systems and interconnect platforms
Pioneering Nigeria’s First Mobile Network
The Rise of MTS First Wireless

In 1999, the Nigerian government liberalized the telecom sector, issuing licenses for private

participation. Afritel, through MTS, received licenses as:
‍

  • A National Wireless Telephony Operator
  • National Long-Distance Carrier
  • International Data Gateway Operator
  • Internet Service Provider


This marked the launch of MTS First Wireless, the first Nigerian operator to deploy CDMA

2001x technology, combining high-speed data with clear voice—decades ahead of its time.

Afritel expanded regionally by participating in Ghana’s GSM licensing process in the mid-1990s.As a founding partner of ScanCom Ghana Ltd. (later Areeba, now MTN Ghana), Afritel helped launch Ghana’s earliest GSM networks and set the stage for today’s dominant market players.
Expansion into Ghana
Get in touch

Let’s build Africa’s connected future together

Contact Us
We are pioneers, partners, and builders of Africa’s digital future.
19 B Liberation Road,
Airport Residential Area, Accra, Ghana
We Pioneered Africa’s Mobile Revolution—Now We’re Powering Its Bold Digital Future.
We Pioneered Africa’s Mobile Revolution—Now We’re Powering Its Bold Digital Future.
We Pioneered Africa’s Mobile Revolution—Now We’re Powering Its Bold Digital Future.
We Pioneered Africa’s Mobile Revolution—Now We’re Powering Its Bold Digital Future.
We Pioneered Africa’s Mobile Revolution—Now We’re Powering Its Bold Digital Future.
We Pioneered Africa’s Mobile Revolution—Now We’re Powering Its Bold Digital Future.
We Pioneered Africa’s Mobile Revolution—Now We’re Powering Its Bold Digital Future.
We Pioneered Africa’s Mobile Revolution—Now We’re Powering Its Bold Digital Future.
We Pioneered Africa’s Mobile Revolution—Now We’re Powering Its Bold Digital Future.
© Afritel Ghana Limited 2025, All Rights Reserved
info@afritelgh.com

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