Airtel Boosts 5G Investment to Meet Nigeria’s Soaring Data Demand

Telecommunications giant Airtel Nigeria has announced significant investments to accelerate the deployment of 5G infrastructure across the country in response to the surging demand for data services.

Speaking at a media roundtable in Lagos, Airtel Nigeria’s Chief Executive Officer, Dinesh Balsingh, said the company is committed to rapidly expanding its 5G rollout over the coming months to help unlock the full potential of Nigeria’s digital economy.

“Over the next few months, we will roll out 5G network much more rapidly, that I can assure you,” Balsingh said.

5G Still in Early Stages

Despite having three licensed 5G operators — MTN, Mafab, and Airtel — 5G penetration in Nigeria remains low, standing at just 3.07% as of June 2025, according to data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

Balsingh noted that this figure is expected to improve significantly as infrastructure investments intensify and device affordability increases.

Data Demand Skyrocketing

Balsingh highlighted that the exponential growth in data consumption, especially in fast-growing urban centers like Lagos, is driving the urgency to build next-generation networks.

“Cities like Lagos are growing at lightning speed—more people, more businesses, more devices,” he said.
“At Airtel, we recognise that data is the new oxygen. That’s why we’re investing heavily in 5G and fibre to build a smart, scalable network that can carry the weight of Nigeria’s digital future.”

According to him, the rollout is not just about delivering faster internet speeds, but about enabling education, healthcare, e-commerce, and economic opportunity through reliable, high-capacity connectivity.

The Device Dilemma

However, Balsingh acknowledged a key hurdle in 5G adoption: the cost of 5G-enabled smartphones.

“5G is not only about telecom infrastructure. It’s an ecosystem where devices and networks must come together,” he explained.
“Rolling out the network is important, but it’s just as crucial to ensure that consumers have access to 5G-enabled phones.”

Airtel is now partnering with device manufacturers and promoting device financing schemes to reduce the cost barrier and make 5G access more inclusive.

4G Still Dominant, But 2G Lingers

Although nearly all mobile operators now offer 100% 4G coverage, only 50.80% of mobile connections in Nigeria are on 4G, with 38.47% still on 2G, as of June 2025. Analysts attribute this lag largely to the high cost of compatible devices.

Balsingh admitted that without addressing the device affordability gap, even the best infrastructure will not translate into meaningful connectivity.

“Network availability alone is not enough. We must ensure Nigerians can afford the tools to access it,” he stressed.

Looking Ahead

With fresh investments, strategic partnerships, and an eye on bridging the device gap, Airtel Nigeria is betting big on a 5G future — one that could redefine how Nigerians work, learn, and connect.