MTN Group and Airtel Africa have signed an agreement to share network infrastructure in Nigeria and Uganda, a strategic move aimed at reducing rising operational costs while expanding mobile coverage to underserved areas. The rare collaboration underscores a broader shift toward cost optimisation among African telecom giants as currency devaluation and economic headwinds strain profitability.
Nigeria, the biggest market for both companies, has been particularly challenging. The country accounts for 40% of MTN Group’s revenue and 34.4% of Airtel Africa’s. However, both telecom giants have struggled with https://.com/2025/03/17/mtn-nigeria-loses-top-revenue-spot/revenue declines since 2023 due to naira devaluation. The currency slump has inflated network deployment costs, forcing operators to scale back infrastructure investment. By sharing towers, base stations, and fiber-optic networks, MTN and Airtel aim to manage expenses while improving connectivity in remote areas.
MTN Group CEO Ralph Mupita said the agreement aims to meet the growing demand for data services and digital financial solutions across Africa. In Nigeria, MTN’s market share grew to 51% in January, adding over 3 million new subscribers to reach a total of 87.5 million. Airtel Nigeria expanded its subscriber base from 56.6 million in December 2024 to 57.6 million in January 2025.
“We continue to see strong structural demand for digital and financial services across our markets,” Mupita said in a statement. “To meet this demand, we continue to invest in coverage and capacity to ensure high-quality connectivity for our customers.”
Before stirking this deal, MTN Nigeria, a subsidiary of MTN Group, was in discussions with 9mobile, a struggling Nigerian operator that has lost millions of subscribers. The mobile-roaming deal, still under negotiation, would allow 9mobile to use MTN Nigeria’s infrastructure in select areas, while MTN would gain access to 9mobile’s spectrum in return.
The new agreement aligns with regulatory efforts. When the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) approved telecom tariff increases in January, it required operators to deploy additional infrastructure within three months to improve service delivery. With the new tariffs taking effect in February, telecom companies now have only two months left to comply.
Beyond Uganda and Nigeria, MTN and Airtel Africa are exploring further network-sharing opportunities in other African markets, including Congo-Brazzaville, Rwanda, and Zambia. The companies are considering various models, including radio access network (RAN) sharing and agreements focused on fiber infrastructure sharing and construction of new fiber networks.
“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,” Airtel Africa Chief Executive Officer Sunil Taldar. “This allows us to provide a more robust and extensive digital highway while avoiding the costly duplication of infrastructure.”
If successful, the partnership could set a precedent for further consolidation in network investments across the continent.
