Togo’s Minister of Posts & Digital Economy Cina Lawson has announced that she will issue 4G mobile licences to the country’s incumbent mobile network operators (MNOs), Togo Cellulaire (Togocel) and Moov Togo, allowing them to offer ultra-fast mobile internet and kick start the availability of financial services within the framework of the 2018 Finance Act. Under the terms of the licence awards, the recipients are required to provide 4G coverage to at least 40% of the population by 2022. Further, Ms Lawson has revealed plans to extend the duration and scope of the two cellcos’ existing 2G and 3G licences until 2032 – dovetailing with the duration of the new concessions.
In October 2016 the Minister of Posts & Digital Economy began official talks with Togocel and Moov concerning the award of 4G licences with the aims of driving down prices, improving service quality and boosting the availability of broadband internet on the national level. Speculation had mounted that the government would also look to open the field to an oft-mooted third mobile player, but the latest announcement seemingly confirms that the Togocel-Moov duopoly will continue.