KEY POINTS
- Nigeria’s telcos invested N824.7 billion in network expansion in H1 2025.
- Analysts expect improved services after network expansion completes.
- Revenue jumped to N2.532 trillion amid soaring infrastructure spend.
Leading Nigerian telecom operators MTN and Airtel poured a combined N824.7 billion into network expansion and infrastructure development in the first half of 2025, signaling one of the most aggressive investment periods in the sector’s history.
While the capital outlay is historic, consumers continue to complain about call drops and poor data quality, leaving analysts hopeful that service improvements will only emerge once the upgraded infrastructure comes fully online.
Network expansion ramps up quickly
MTN led the charge, increasing capital expenditure by 288.4 percent to N565.7 billion—driving the rollout of 240 new 4G sites, extending fibre‑to‑the‑home broadband access, and launching the Tier III Dabengwa Data Centre. Meanwhile, Airtel deployed around N259 billion (US $168 million) toward expansion during its financial year ended March 2025.
The pair’s investment spree coincided with a record N2.532 trillion in revenues from voice and data in H1 2025—MTN contributed N2.12 trillion (with data revenues up 69.2 percent), while Airtel posted N412.4 billion from combined operations.
Service quality lags despite expansion
According to Business Day, subscribers continue to report poor network performance—despite the massive outlay. Customers describe buffering videos, dropped calls, and data depletion even with full signal bars. Tariff adjustments by the Nigerian Communications Commission earlier in 2025 increased prices for calls and data, but many argue that the higher rates have not resulted in improved service.
Regulators are now tightening Quality of Service rules to ensure investments translate into tangible improvements, demanding telcos and infrastructure partners deliver real-world reliability.
