MTN Nigeria’s ₦620.5 billion capital expenditure programme for the first half of 2026 has landed alongside a historic milestone for the telecommunications giant: crossing 100 million active subscribers.
At the same time, network usage metrics show an average consumption of 14.8 gigabytes of data per user per month, while median download speeds on Nigerian networks rose from 16.5 megabits per second at the beginning of the year to 20 Mbps by mid-year.
Read together, the figures illustrate an operator aggressively building out infrastructure ahead of demand, only to see public consumption quickly rise to meet it.
Long-term capital commitment across nationwide footprint
The half-year spend forms part of a larger, long-term capital trajectory. Since January 2025, MTN Nigeria has poured ₦1.62 trillion into network infrastructure spanning roughly 66,000 operational sites.
This sustained outlay has financed base station upgrades, spectrum deployment, and extensive fibre expansion across previously underserved regions.
It has also powered the rollout of 5G technology, which now covers 730 sites distributed across 27 states.
The overall speed improvements recorded in quarterly measurements by the Nigerian Communications Commission reflect the cumulative impact of these infrastructure upgrades.
Navigating economic pressures and rising subscriber usage
This extensive capital deployment occurred against a backdrop of severe macroeconomic challenges.
Operating costs escalated as local diesel prices doubled compared to 2023 levels, while currency fluctuations placed continuous strain on foreign exchange expenses.
Furthermore, mobile data tariffs were adjusted upward by 50% in January—marking the first major price revision in nearly a decade. Despite these economic headwinds, subscriber engagement intensified.
Active users surpassed 100 million, average monthly data usage per person jumped 15.2% year-on-year, and national smartphone penetration climbed to 66.4%.
Aggregate data indicates that consumers are making greater use of the expanding network even under the revised pricing structure.
Transitioning to renewable energy to control input costs
To safeguard long-term affordability, MTN Nigeria is actively shifting its power source away from fossil fuels.
Diesel reliance accounted for 58.11% of the company’s energy mix in 2025, followed by independent power producer gas at 23.63%, the national grid at 18.04%, and green energy solutions at 0.05%.
However, the adoption of renewables is accelerating rapidly. In June, the company executed its first utility-scale solar agreement through the First WATT partnership, securing 34 megawatts of solar capacity across eight of its largest technical hubs.
By reducing its dependence on diesel, the network aims to structurally lower the unit cost of delivering each gigabyte over time, protecting its bottom line from external fuel shocks.
Overcoming daily infrastructure vandalism to deliver service
Operating efficiency remains closely tied to physical security and resilience. Chief Technology Officer Yahaya Ibrahim revealed that the operator combats roughly 450 vandalism incidents daily across its fiber and tower infrastructure.
These disruptions range from accidental cable cuts during civil construction projects to targeted physical attacks on cellular towers that require complete rebuilds.
That the network still achieved median speed increases, crossed 100 million subscribers, and broadened its 5G coverage during the same period demonstrates the scale and shock-absorbing capacity of its ongoing capital investment.
Data revenue surge drives future network expansion
Data services have increasingly become the primary growth engine for the operator. MTN Nigeria reported ₦1.699 trillion in data revenue for the first half of the year, representing a 38.4% increase year-on-year from its 55.7 million active data users.
This financial outcome is driven by two simultaneous trends: a steadily expanding customer base and individual subscribers consuming more high-bandwidth media.
Looking ahead through the remainder of 2026 and into 2027, the company plans to deepen 5G coverage in states currently outside its main footprint, increase the solar-powered portion of its energy grid, and extend high-speed fiber backhaul into geographical corridors that historically lacked reliable broadband connectivity.
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