Airtel Doubles Rural Connectivity and 5G Investment in Latest Strategy

Airtel Nigeria intends to double its capital spending in 2025 with the aim of speeding up the deployment of 5G technology and extending mobile coverage to less-serviced rural regions, according to the nation’s second-biggest telecommunications company.

The additional expenditure will support a significant network improvement project. This includes setting up new locations, enlarging their fiber-optic foundation, and upgrading current structures with advanced high-capacity wireless systems. Additionally, Airtel intends to utilize the capabilities of the 2Africa undersea cable to enhance data transmission throughout their system.

“Our choice to increase our investment twofold underscores our strong dedication to Nigeria’s prosperity,” stated Airtel Nigeria CEO Dinesh Balsingh in an emailed communication.
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on Friday.

Airtel Nigeria, which is owned by India-based Bharti Airtel, has a subscriber base of 57.67 million customers, placing it behind only MTN Nigeria in terms of market presence. The firm is now focusing on enhancing consumer confidence after implementing a price increase of up to 50% earlier this year.

“As a company that considers Nigeria as its home, we are committed to building revolutionary infrastructure that will provide unparalleled benefits to our customers and ensure that connectivity becomes part of daily life for many more Nigerians,” stated Balsingh.

In January 2023, Airtel introduced its 5G service first in Lagos, Ogun, Abuja, and Rivers states. The network operates primarily on the 3.5GHz band to ensure quicker data transfer rates and reduced lag times, complemented by the 2600MHz frequency range to enhance coverage and deliver better overall performance to end-users.

Part of its overarching plan, Airtel is constructing an advanced data center in Lagos through its Nxtra by Airtel division. Situated in Eko Atlantic, this project commenced construction earlier in 2024 and will be Nigeria’s biggest once completed.

The network enhancement coincides with a significant pact inked on March 26, 2025, between Airtel Africa and MTN Group to collaborate on infrastructure sharing throughout the continent of Africa. This arrangement seeks to reduce expenses related to deployments, expand access to remote areas, and enhance overall service quality.

Even with progress, significant areas of Nigeria, particularly remote zones, remain devoid of steady internet connectivity because of insufficient facilities, cost barriers, and inadequate digital know-how. Bridging this divide is essential for fostering broad-based economic advancement.

Throughout the sector, Nigerian telecommunications companies have committed more than $1 billion to purchase equipment from Chinese suppliers for network upgrades scheduled for 2025. This expenditure signifies a shift back towards significant investments following periods of economic strain; however, the hardware has not yet been delivered or cleared through customs.

Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. (

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