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 telecom regulator has engaged PwC to conduct its first industry-wide competition review since 2013, amid concerns over market dominance and sustainability. The study will assess structural shifts, new technologies, and barriers to entry, as the sector faces ARPU decline, MVNO fragility, and intensifying digital competition.
Nigeria’s telecom regulator is positioning 2026 as a turning point, promising better service quality, stronger consumer protection, and a fairer market. The NCC says balancing user trust with operator sustainability will drive investment, innovation, and inclusion, supporting Nigeria’s ambition to build a $1 trillion digital economy by 2030.
The NCC has outlined stricter expectations for telecom operators in 2026, focusing on network investment, service quality, customer care, and corporate governance. The regulator will intensify monitoring, enforcement, and consumer protection while promoting fair competition and sustainable sector growth.
Nigeria added 2.1 million new telecom subscriptions in November 2025, driven largely by MTN and Airtel, which together control over 85 per cent of the market. The rebound followed earlier subscriber losses linked to SIM-NIN enforcement and signals renewed momentum in the mobile-first sector.
Nigeria’s telecom subscriptions reached 175.3 million in October 2025, with teledensity rising to 80.87 percent and broadband penetration hitting 49.89%. While steady growth reflects rising demand for mobile and data services, industry stakeholders say faster broadband expansion and improved service quality remain critical for digital inclusion.
Huawei and MTN Nigeria have completed the first commercial deployment of Huawei’s RuralCow mobile base station, designed for rapid rollout in rural regions. The solution drastically reduces power use, installation complexity, and deployment costs while extending coverage to remote communities. It shortens rural network ROI to around three years.
Nigeria’s approval to deploy 4,000 telecom towers marks a major step toward expanding rural connectivity. By targeting 23 million underserved citizens, the initiative aims to boost economic inclusion, strengthen security, and support agricultural transformation through improved digital infrastructure.
Nigeria climbed slightly to 97th in Surfshark’s 2025 Digital Quality of Life Index but remains constrained by poor Internet affordability, weak infrastructure, and slow speeds. While digital security improved, Nigerians still pay among the highest costs for mobile and fixed Internet, limiting AI readiness, digital inclusion, and broader economic opportunities.
Algeria has signed a $300 million agreement with Nigeria to export two million Algerian-made payment terminals, boosting its presence in Africa’s digital technology market. The deal reflects Algeria’s push to strengthen local manufacturing, advance regional integration, and support Africa’s transition to digital financial solutions.
Google and GOMYCODE have launched the “Build with AI” initiative to train 1,000 Nigerian developers in Generative AI. The 11-week programme will teach practical skills using Gemini, with applications in fintech, healthtech, and agritech, and will culminate in a demo day showcasing local innovation.