By Ayomide Otitoju
MTN Group and Airtel Africa have signed agreements to share network infrastructure in Nigeria and Uganda as part of their efforts to enhance digital and financial inclusion across Africa. The partnership aims to improve network efficiency, expand coverage, and provide enhanced mobile services, particularly in remote and underserved areas.
MTN Group President and CEO, Ralph Mupita, emphasized the increasing demand for digital services on the continent, stating that the collaboration aligns with MTN’s commitment to delivering digital solutions that drive Africa’s progress.
“We continue to see strong demand for digital and financial services across our markets. To meet this demand, we are investing in coverage and capacity to ensure high-quality connectivity. At the same time, regulatory frameworks present opportunities for resource sharing to improve efficiency and returns,” Mupita said.
Airtel Africa CEO, Sunil Taldar, echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the competitive landscape while stressing the importance of infrastructure sharing.
“As we compete fiercely in the market through our brand and service offerings, we are also building common infrastructure within permissible regulatory frameworks. This approach avoids duplication of expensive infrastructure while enhancing digital and financial inclusion for millions of customers,” Taldar stated.
The initiative aligns with the global trend of network sharing, which allows telecom operators to improve service quality, reduce costs, and accelerate the expansion of reliable mobile services. Following agreements in Nigeria and Uganda, MTN and Airtel Africa are exploring similar opportunities in Congo-Brazzaville, Rwanda, and Zambia.
Both companies remain committed to working with other mobile operators in their respective markets to maximize the benefits of infrastructure sharing. However, they will continue to operate independently and compete freely within the shared markets.
