ATC Wins ICC Arbitration Against AT Ghana Over Unpaid Tower Fees
TL;DR
- American Tower Corporation's Ghanaian subsidiary wins ICC arbitration against AT Ghana.
- Dispute centered on unpaid telecommunications tower fees accumulated over several years.
- Arbitration outcome may impact AT Ghana's restructuring and potential investment deals.
Overview
American Tower Corporation (ATC) Ghana has prevailed in an international arbitration against AT Ghana (formerly AirtelTigo Ghana) at the ICC International Court of Arbitration regarding unpaid telecommunications tower fees, closing a long-standing contractual dispute in Ghana's telecom sector.
What Happened
The dispute arose when AirtelTigo, which was rebranded AT Ghana following government acquisition in 2021, fell into arrears on payments for network tower services provided by ATC Ghana.
By March 2025, outstanding debts to ATC alone reached around GH₵1.5 billion, with the total debt load at over GH₵3.5 billion (about US$225 million). Sources indicate the ATC debt could have surpassed GH₵2 billion by the time of crisis.
In response to non-payment, ATC Ghana began disconnecting services in September 2025, risking a collapse in network coverage for over three million AT Ghana subscribers.
The National Communications Authority and Communications Ministry intervened with emergency roaming arrangements, while KPMG was appointed to review AT Ghana's finances amid ongoing restructuring and talks of potential investment.
Context
AirtelTigo was formed in 2017 from the merger of Bharti Airtel and Millicom's Ghanaian operations. Its role as Ghana's third-largest mobile operator made this dispute significant for sector stability.
The case was considered at a sensitive time, as the government pursued new investment for AT Ghana, including a May 2025 memorandum with Rektron Group and Afritel Ghana for a potential majority stake acquisition.
Why It Matters
- The arbitration result requires AT Ghana to fulfill the award, which is expected to be enforced under Ghana's obligations to the New York Convention.
- Prospective investors are likely to scrutinize Ghana's legal enforcement of international arbitration awards when assessing future capital commitments.
- The outcome may influence ongoing efforts to restructure AT Ghana and bolster confidence in Ghana's telecommunications regulatory and dispute resolution environment.