Telecommunications giants MTN Group and Airtel Africa have entered into a network infrastructure-sharing agreement in Nigeria and Uganda, aiming to expand mobile connectivity in underserved areas. The deal is part of a broader strategy to optimize costs and enhance mobile services, particularly in rural and remote regions where access to digital connectivity remains limited.
Announced on Wednesday, the partnership includes agreements on Radio Access Network sharing and potential collaboration on fibre infrastructure, including the construction of new fibre networks where necessary.
MTN Group President and CEO, Ralph Mupita, highlighted the increasing demand for data services across Africa, stating that the company remains committed to expanding digital solutions and financial services. He emphasized the need for continuous investment in network coverage and capacity while also leveraging regulatory frameworks that allow resource-sharing to improve efficiency and returns.
Airtel Africa CEO, Sunil Taldar, echoed similar sentiments, noting that while both companies remain competitive in their service offerings, infrastructure-sharing enables them to build a more extensive and resilient digital network. He stressed that this collaboration reduces the duplication of costly infrastructure while promoting digital and financial inclusion.
MTN and Airtel, which control 51.79% and 34.11% of Nigeria’s telecom market, respectively, have both faced financial setbacks due to the depreciation of the naira. The partnership is expected to help them optimize operational costs while expanding coverage.
Beyond Nigeria and Uganda, the two companies are also exploring similar opportunities in other markets, including Congo-Brazzaville, Rwanda, and Zambia. Currently, Airtel Africa operates in 14 sub-Saharan African countries, serving over 156 million customers, while MTN Group has a presence in 19 countries across Africa and the Middle East, with 287 million customers.
