Nigeria’s Telecom Sector Experiences Robust Growth in October 2024
Nigeria’s telecommunications sector witnessed significant growth in October 2024, marked by a substantial increase in internet subscribers, overall telephony subscriptions, broadband penetration, and data usage. These positive trends underscore the expanding demand for digital connectivity across the nation and the ongoing efforts by telecom operators to enhance network infrastructure. The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the regulatory body overseeing the sector, released its monthly report detailing the impressive growth figures.
The most notable development was the surge in internet subscribers. The country added 1.88 million new internet users in October, bringing the total number of subscribers to 134.78 million, up from 132.9 million in September. This increase signifies a growing appetite for internet access among Nigerians, driven by factors such as increasing smartphone penetration, the rise of e-commerce, and the growing popularity of social media platforms. The vast majority of internet subscriptions, 134.27 million, were attributed to mobile (GSM) networks, highlighting the dominant role of mobile technology in driving internet adoption. Fixed wired and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services accounted for the remaining subscriber base.
Analyzing the performance of individual operators revealed a mixed picture. MTN Nigeria, the country’s largest telecom operator, spearheaded the growth, adding an impressive 1.13 million new internet subscribers, reaching a total of 69.52 million. Airtel, the second-largest operator, also registered substantial gains, adding 678,219 subscribers and reaching a total of 45.47 million. Globacom, the third-largest operator, continued its positive trajectory, adding 184,887 new users to reach a total of 17.10 million. However, 9mobile experienced a decline, losing 125,780 subscribers and ending the month with 2.16 million. This decline might be attributed to various factors, including competition from other operators and specific market dynamics.
The growth in internet subscriptions was mirrored by an increase in overall telephony subscriptions. The total number of active telephone lines across the country rose by 2.69 million, reaching 157.37 million in October. MTN maintained its leadership position in the mobile market with 80.37 million subscribers, followed by Airtel with 54.44 million, Globacom with 19.10 million, and 9mobile with 3.33 million. These figures reflect the ongoing expansion of the telecommunications sector and its increasing reach across different segments of the Nigerian population.
Broadband penetration, a key indicator of internet access quality and availability, also improved. The penetration rate rose to 42.24% in October, up from 41.56% in September. This increase signifies that a larger proportion of the population now has access to high-speed internet, which is crucial for supporting various online activities, including education, business operations, and entertainment. The growth in broadband penetration aligns with the government’s efforts to promote digital inclusion and bridge the digital divide.
Furthermore, the NCC report revealed a surge in data usage, reflecting the increasing reliance on the internet for various activities. Total data usage reached 870,398.28 terabytes in October, a significant increase from 850,249.09 terabytes in September. This growth can be attributed to the expanding user base, the growing popularity of data-intensive applications such as video streaming and online gaming, and the increased adoption of remote work and online learning. The increasing data consumption underscores the importance of robust network infrastructure to support the growing demand.
In conclusion, the Nigerian telecommunications sector experienced positive growth across multiple metrics in October 2024. The growth in internet subscribers, overall telephony subscriptions, broadband penetration, and data usage signifies the continued expansion of the sector and its increasing contribution to the Nigerian economy. The efforts by telecom operators to expand network infrastructure and improve service quality are playing a key role in driving this growth. The continued growth of the telecom sector is crucial for supporting Nigeria’s digital transformation and enabling greater access to information, services, and opportunities for its citizens.
