Airtel Nigeria plans to double its capital expenditure (CapEx) in 2025 to fast-track 5G deployment and extend mobile coverage to underserved rural areas.
The increased investment will fund a major network upgrade, including the rollout of new sites, expansion of the fiber-optic backbone, and the integration of high-capacity radios to strengthen existing infrastructure.
According to the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) data as of January 2025, 5G penetration stood at 2.54%, meaning 4.3 million out of 169 million are active 5G users. Meanwhile, Statista notes that, in 2025, Nigeria’s 4G network coverage is expected to reach 100%, while 3G coverage will stand at 90.32%. The country’s average broadband connection speed is projected to be 27.10 kbit/s.
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“Our decision to double our investment reflects our deep commitment to Nigeria’s future,” said Airtel Nigeria CEO, Dinesh Balsingh. “As a company that views Nigeria as home, we are investing in transformative infrastructure that will deliver unmatched value to our customers and make connectivity an everyday reality for more Nigerians.”
Since launching its 5G network in January 2023 across Lagos, Ogun, Abuja, and Rivers, Airtel Nigeria has continued to build on its spectrum assets, leveraging the 3.5 GHz band for ultra-fast data and low latency, and the 2600 MHz spectrum to handle growing user demand. To further strengthen data capacity, Airtel Nigeria plans to integrate the 2Africa submarine cable into its network, enabling faster and more affordable internet services across its coverage areas.
These efforts reflect Airtel Nigeria’s continued commitment to enhancing network quality and expanding digital access across the country.
