By 
By Osasome C.O
MTN Commits ₦1 Trillion to Network Expansion in 2026
MTN Nigeria has announced plans to invest over ₦1 trillion in network upgrades in 2026, following a ₦900 billion infrastructure injection in 2025.
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The aggressive expansion underscores the scale at which Nigeria’s largest telecom operator is responding to surging data demand, rising customer expectations, and the growing importance of digital infrastructure to economic growth.
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In the first quarter of 2026 alone, MTN deployed ₦390.3 billion in capital expenditure. This marks one of the most intensive quarterly infrastructure investments in the company’s history.
The disclosure was made at a Lagos stakeholder forum tagged “Data on Trial”, where executives addressed concerns around service quality, tariff adjustments, and perceptions of rapid data depletion.
Why MTN Says Heavy Spending Is Unavoidable
MTN’s Chief Technical Officer, Yahaya Ibrahim, acknowledged service challenges and apologised to subscribers. He explained that continuous upgrades were inevitable as data consumption rises.
According to him, expanding 4G and 5G usage, cloud services, video streaming, and AI-powered applications place sustained pressure on radio and transmission infrastructure, making constant reinvestment unavoidable.
However, MTN’s Chief Executive Officer, Karl Toriola, cautioned that no telecom operator can guarantee perfect service delivery in Nigeria. Toriola cited persistent challenges such as fibre cuts, vandalism, theft of infrastructure, power constraints, and multiple regulatory obligations.
Inside MTN’s Infrastructure Push
The trillion-naira investment programme is focused on strengthening the backbone of Nigeria’s digital economy. Key components include:
- Network Modernisation: Expansion of switching centres, LTE coverage, and enhanced 5G capacity to reduce congestion in high-traffic areas.
- Fibre Expansion: Continued rollout of fibre infrastructure to support reliable broadband and fixed wireless access for homes and businesses.
- Infrastructure Sharing: Deeper collaboration with operators such as Airtel and T2 (formerly 9mobile) to cut costs and extend coverage to underserved areas.
- Customer Transparency Tools: Integration of a self-service data usage portal into the MyMTN App, enabling subscribers to track background app consumption and device-level usage.
MTN also explained that faster networks naturally enable higher-resolution streaming on platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram—leading to quicker data consumption, not data theft.
Digital Economy Growth Targets
Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, has projected that the digital economy will contribute 21% of Nigeria’s GDP by 2030, up from an estimated 16–18% today.
The sector contributed ₦7 trillion in the first quarter of 2025 alone, accounting for 14.19% of Nigeria’s ₦49.34 trillion GDP. These figures highlight why telecom infrastructure is now viewed as economic infrastructure, not just connectivity.
Why This Matters for SMEs
MTN’s massive infrastructure upgrade has far-reaching implications for Nigeria’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which form the backbone of the country’s non-oil economy.
1. Lower Internet and Operating Costs
- Cheaper Connectivity: Expanded broadband capacity is expected to drive down data costs over time, easing one of SMEs’ biggest overheads.
- Wider Market Access: Improved coverage will bring millions of rural and underserved consumers online, expanding the addressable market for digital businesses.
- More Reliable Operations: Stronger fibre and transmission networks reduce downtime, enabling uninterrupted cloud services, online sales, and digital collaboration.
2. Faster, Cheaper Digital Payments
- Improved Transaction Efficiency: Better network reliability supports real-time digital payments, reducing failed transactions and settlement delays.
- Reduced Cash Dependency: SMEs can rely more on digital channels, lowering cash-handling risks and improving financial record-keeping.
- Support for Contactless Payments: Stronger connectivity enables smartphone-based payment solutions that reduce dependence on expensive POS devices.
3. Improved Access to Credit
- Digital Footprints: Consistent online transactions create verifiable data trails, making it easier for SMEs to access loans from banks and fintechs.
- Financing at Scale: Reliable connectivity strengthens credit assessment systems, accelerating the flow of capital to growth-ready businesses.
4. Stronger Legal and Competitive Positioning
- Trust in E-Commerce: Reliable networks reinforce consumer confidence in online platforms and digital records.
- Cross-Border Opportunities: SMEs can more easily integrate with regional and global digital platforms, boosting exports and productivity.
5. Talent, Innovation, and Productivity Gains
- Access to Digital Skills: As infrastructure improves, SMEs can tap into Nigeria’s growing pool of digitally trained youth for development, marketing, and data services.
- Innovation Enablement: Stable connectivity supports experimentation with AI tools, digital marketing, logistics platforms, and customer analytics.
Infrastructure as Economic Policy
MTN’s ₦1 trillion network upgrade goes beyond telecoms. It represents a critical pillar in Nigeria’s ambition to build a competitive digital economy capable of supporting SMEs, attracting investment, creating jobs, and driving inclusive growth.
Improvements in digital infrastructure will deliver the greatest gains to small businesses. These gains will come through reduced operational costs, expanded market reach, and deeper integration into Nigeria’s unfolding digital economy.
