Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Nigeria’s average 4G speeds reached 33Mbps in 2025, reflecting major investments in fibre, network expansion and regulatory reform. While challenges persist, rising broadband penetration and improved quality of experience signal meaningful progress in one of Africa’s largest telecom markets.
Nigeria’s telecom industry is expected to enter a strong expansion phase in 2026 after a year of consolidation, driven by rising data demand, regulatory stability, and new government-led digital infrastructure initiatives, according to ATCON.
Nigeria’s teledensity climbed to nearly 81 percent in October 2025 as active subscriptions reached 175 million, driven by over 1.5 million newly activated SIMs. Despite a 50 percent increase in telecom tariffs earlier in the year, Nigerians continued to consume record volumes of data, spending around ₦2.5 trillion between February and September. 4G remains the dominant technology, while broadband penetration reached almost 50 percent. Operators such as MTN and Airtel recorded sharp growth in data revenues, highlighting Nigeria’s resilient appetite for digital connectivity despite rising costs.
Airtel partners with itel to finance 4G smartphones for Nigerian users, helping low-income customers upgrade affordably and boosting national digital inclusion through SmartCash-enabled installments.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is preparing for the launch of 6G technology, forecasting $1 billion in revenue. While 6G is still under development, Nigeria is focused on defining its spectrum policy. As of December 2024, 5G accounts for just 2.46% of the country’s mobile subscribers.