A network infrastructure-sharing arrangement between MTN Group and Airtel Africa has been established in Nigeria and Uganda. This is a strategic move meant to boost mobile access in untapped areas.
In a statement released on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, the telecom behemoths said the collaboration represents a growing trend towards cost optimisation and intends to improve mobile services, especially in rural and isolated places where many people still do not have access to the advantages of modern connected life.
Among the agreements taken into consideration are those aimed at establishing technical and commercial arrangements for the sharing of fibre infrastructure, which may involve the building of new fibre networks as needed, and those pertaining to the sharing of radio access networks.
According to Ralph Mupita, president and chief executive officer of the MTN Group, operators throughout the continent were witnessing a persistent demand for data services.
Credit: Firstpost
“At MTN, we are motivated by the goal of providing digital solutions that propel Africa’s development and will continue to witness robust structural demand for digital and financial services throughout our markets.
“To satisfy this demand, we keep making investments in capacity and coverage to give our clients high-quality connectivity. Nevertheless, there are chances for resource pooling to promote increased efficiencies and enhance returns within regulatory constraints,” he stated.
The depreciation of the naira has resulted in substantial foreign exchange losses for MTN and Airtel, which hold 51.79 per cent and 34.11 per cent of Nigeria’s telecom market, respectively.
“As we compete fiercely in the market on the strength of our brand, services, and offerings, we are building common infrastructure within the permissible regulatory framework,” stated Sunil Taldar, the chief executive officer of Airtel Africa.
“This creates a more comprehensive and strong digital highway to promote financial and digital inclusion while preventing the duplication of costly infrastructure to increase operational effectiveness and benefit our clients.”
MTN and Airtel Africa are investigating a range of prospects in additional markets, including Congo-Brazzaville, Rwanda, and Zambia, after the execution of agreements in Uganda and Nigeria.
Over 156 million subscribers are served by Airtel Africa, which has operations in 14 sub-Saharan African nations.
Serving 287 million subscribers, MTN Group’s primary businesses are spread over 19 Middle Eastern and African nations.
