Ghana Orders MultiChoice to Cut DStv Prices by 30% or Face Suspension Over Unfair Billing
- The popular pay-TV provider, MultiChoice, has been handed an ultimatum to slash its DStv subscription prices or pack up
- The Ghanaian government issued a firm order to MultiChoice, the operator of DStv, to reduce its subscription fees by 30% or risk a licence suspension
- The call comes amid rising public concern over what officials describe as exploitative billing, despite favourable exchange rates in the country
Legit.ng’s Pascal Oparada has reported on tech, energy, stocks, investment and the economy for over a decade.
The Ghanaian government has issued a firm directive to MultiChoice, the operator of DStv, to reduce its subscription fees by 30% or risk a licence suspension by August 7.
The call comes amid rising public concern over what officials describe as exploitative billing, despite favourable exchange rates in the country.
Source: Getty Images
Currency gains spark consumer demands
The Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, made the announcement, highlighting the steep disparity between Ghana’s subscription costs and those in other African countries.
He cited data showing that DStv's premium bouquet costs about $83 in Ghana, compared to just $29 in Nigeria.
A major factor driving Ghana’s stance is the sharp appreciation of the Ghanaian cedi. So far in 2025, the cedi has gained over 40% against the US dollar, making it the second-best performing currency globally, after Russia’s rouble, according to Bloomberg.
Nigeria faced similar outrage
This currency strength, the government argues, should naturally reduce the cost of imported content and services—like DStv. However, rather than lowering prices, MultiChoice Ghana increased its rates by 15% in April, prompting swift government action.
This isn’t the first time MultiChoice has clashed with regulators in Africa.
In Nigeria, the company has faced multiple probes and legal threats from the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and the National Assembly over its subscription pricing model.
In 2022 and 2023, Nigerian lawmakers demanded that MultiChoice introduce pay-per-view options, citing unfair pricing and billing inflexibility.
MultiChoice had consistently argued that its pricing was based on market-specific factors and rising content costs.
Government rejects MultiChoice offer
In an attempt to placate authorities, MultiChoice reportedly offered to maintain current pricing while suspending repatriation of profits to its South African headquarters.
However, Ghana’s government rejected the proposal, insisting that subscribers deserved lower prices.
Minister George emphasised that subscription rates must reflect both economic realities and regional fairness.
"There is no justification for charging Ghanaians three times more than Nigerians for the same content," he stated.
MultiChoice pushes back
In response, MultiChoice released a statement saying the government’s demands were unworkable.
“It is not tenable to reduce the DStv subscription fees in the manner proposed,” the company said.
The firm added that it continues to offer a wide range of packages to meet varying budgets and that pricing decisions are influenced by several factors, including content acquisition, operating costs, and competition.
What comes next?
With the August 7 deadline looming, it remains to be seen whether MultiChoice will adjust its prices or dig in its heels.
If the standoff escalates, millions of Ghanaian subscribers could be cut off—rekindling a broader debate across Africa on fair access to pay-TV services.
Source: UGC
As neighbouring Nigeria watches closely, the Ghana incident could reignite calls for MultiChoice to adopt more transparent and regionally consistent pricing across the continent.
Reactions trail new DSTV subscription prices
Legit.ng earlier reported that with effect from March 1, 2025, MultiChoice Nigeria, a pay-TV provider, has announced a 21% rise in the subscription fee for its DStv Compact package, from N15,700 to N19,000.
This most recent change comes after a comparable price increase in May 2024, which the business ascribed to inflation and growing operating expenses in Nigeria.
The announcement has drawn a lot of criticism from customers, many of whom vented their dissatisfaction on social media over the regular price increases without a commensurate improvement in the quality of the services.
Source: Legit.ng
