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MTN Nigeria’s Fiscal Contribution Rises Amid Economic Headwinds
MTN Nigeria Communications Plc has disclosed that it remitted ₦878.7 billion in taxes, levies, and statutory duties to the Nigerian government in the 2025 financial year, representing a 15 per cent increase over the previous year.
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The disclosure was made in the company’s 2025 Sustainability Report, released on Monday, underscoring MTN Nigeria’s role as one of the country’s largest corporate taxpayers despite operating in a challenging macroeconomic environment. The remittance highlights the telecoms operator’s growing contribution to government revenue and national development.
Seventh Sustainability Report Signals ESG Maturity
The 2025 report marks MTN Nigeria’s seventh consecutive sustainability publication and its third year of voluntary adoption of the IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards, ahead of mandatory compliance timelines.
According to the company, the rise in fiscal contributions reflects expanding operations and a sustained commitment to regulatory compliance, even amid currency volatility, inflationary pressures, and sector-wide cost challenges.
CEO: Sustainability Central to Long-Term Value
Commenting on the report, Chief Executive Officer Karl Toriola described the performance as evidence of “decisive action and measurable progress.”
He noted that sustainability remains integral to MTN Nigeria’s long-term value creation strategy, with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles embedded across operations to drive growth, manage risk, and unlock new business opportunities.
Environmental Gains and Climate Accountability
On the environmental front, MTN Nigeria recorded a 6.4 per cent reduction in Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions compared to its 2021 baseline.
The company also earned a ‘B-’ rating for climate change and ‘C’ for water security from the Carbon Disclosure Project, while more than one-third of its top suppliers by spend have aligned with its net-zero ambitions.
Social Impact: Connectivity, Inclusion and Child Safety
MTN Nigeria expanded its network coverage to 93.7 per cent of the population, significantly improving nationwide connectivity.
Female representation in the workforce increased to 43.4 per cent, while ₦2.7 billion was invested in corporate social investment initiatives, positively impacting over 534,000 individuals. The company also launched the “Help Children Be Children” programme to promote child online safety and digital awareness.
Governance, Local Content and Business Performance
In governance and reputation metrics, MTN Nigeria achieved a Reputation Index of 80.2 per cent, surpassing its internal benchmark, and received a sustainability rating of 3.7 out of 4.0 from ESG rating firm Risk Insights.
Local economic participation was further strengthened, with 62 per cent of procurement spend directed to domestic suppliers, up from the previous year.
Key Highlights of MTN Nigeria’s 2025 Performance
- Total Tax Contribution: ₦878.7 billion remitted to government revenues
- Capital Expenditure: ₦1 trillion invested in network expansion, more than double 2024 spending
- Strategic Focus: Continued investment in sustainable innovation, 5G, and fibre infrastructure
- Profitability Turnaround: Profit after tax of ₦1.1 trillion, reversing 2024 losses, driven by a 55.1 per cent increase in service revenue
Sustainability as a Growth Imperative
The 2025 Sustainability Report reinforces MTN Nigeria’s commitment to responsible business practices, regulatory compliance, and infrastructure-led growth. As the company balances profitability with ESG priorities, its expanding fiscal, social, and environmental footprint continues to shape Nigeria’s digital economy and development trajectory.
