Orange in talks to acquire 70% stake in Telecel Ghana

French telecommunications giant Orange is reportedly in talks to acquire a 70% controlling stake in Telecel Ghana, potentially giving the company a direct foothold in Ghana’s telecommunications market.

The reported negotiations involve Telecel Group, which currently owns the 70% stake in Telecel Ghana. The remaining 30% is held by the Ghanaian government.

The talks were first reported in France in October and have since been reported by African technology and telecommunications publications. No definitive agreement has been signed, and neither Orange nor Telecel Group has publicly announced the financial terms of a potential transaction.

Telecel Group Chief Executive Moh Damush has reportedly acknowledged media reports about Orange’s interest but has not confirmed that negotiations are taking place. He said interest from external parties would not be surprising given Telecel Ghana’s recent performance.

If completed, the transaction would make Orange the majority owner of Telecel Ghana and expand its presence into an English-speaking West African market where it currently does not operate a directly controlled mobile network.

Telecel Group acquired the majority stake in the Ghanaian operator from Vodafone in 2023, with the company subsequently rebranded as Telecel Ghana in 2024.

The potential deal comes at an important time for Telecel Ghana. The company has recently been cleared by Ghana’s National Communications Authority to proceed in the country’s 5G spectrum licensing process alongside MTN Ghana and other applicants.

For Orange, the acquisition could provide an established network, customer base and digital services platform in Ghana while strengthening its wider expansion strategy in Africa and the Middle East. Orange currently operates in 18 countries across the region.

Reports suggest negotiations could continue towards the end of 2026. Any transaction would also be subject to the necessary regulatory and government approvals.