Airtel Africa and MTN Group have announced a partnership to share network infrastructure in Uganda and Nigeria, aimed at expanding coverage and improving cost efficiencies. The agreement will particularly benefit remote areas that have yet to fully access digital services.
MTN Group President and CEO, Ralph Mupita, emphasized the growing demand for digital and financial services across their markets. He noted that to meet this demand, MTN is investing in network coverage and capacity, ensuring high-quality connectivity for customers. The partnership also aligns with regulatory frameworks that allow for resource sharing, enhancing efficiency and improving returns.
Airtel Africa CEO Sunil Taldar highlighted that this collaboration would avoid duplicating costly infrastructure, leading to enhanced operational efficiencies for the benefit of subscribers.
Looking ahead, MTN and Airtel are considering expanding their partnership to other markets, including Congo-Brazzaville, Rwanda, and Zambia. In addition to sharing radio access networks (RAN), the companies are exploring agreements on fibre infrastructure sharing and the construction of new fibre networks. The operators also hinted at the possibility of collaborating with other providers on future network sharing initiatives.
