MTN And Airtel Africa Partner to Expand Network Coverage in Uganda and Nigeria
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Telecommunications giants MTN Group and Airtel Africa have announced a strategic agreement to share mobile network infrastructure in Uganda and Nigeria. The partnership aims to reduce operational costs while enhancing service coverage, particularly in rural and underserved regions.
Collaboration to Drive Efficiency and Expansion
The CEOs of both companies highlighted that infrastructure sharing allows telecom operators to extend connectivity to areas where building separate networks would be economically unfeasible.
MTN Group CEO, Ralph Mupita, emphasized the benefits of regulatory-backed resource sharing, stating:
“There are opportunities within regulatory frameworks for sharing resources to drive higher efficiencies and improve returns.”
Similarly, Airtel Africa’s CEO, Sunil Taldar, pointed out that the partnership will help avoid duplication of costly infrastructure, making it a win-win for both operators.
The agreement does not restrict either company from collaborating with other operators in their respective markets, ensuring flexibility in future telecom expansions.
Exploring Expansion in Other African Markets
Following the agreements in Uganda and Nigeria, MTN and Airtel Africa plan to explore similar opportunities in other African nations, including Congo-Brazzaville, Rwanda, and Zambia. The areas of collaboration under consideration include:
- Radio Access Network (RAN) Sharing – the most significant cost component in network deployment.
- Fibre Infrastructure Sharing – joint commercial and technical agreements for improved connectivity.
- New Fibre Network Construction – where required, to enhance digital access.
Airtel’s Push for Rural Connectivity in Nigeria
This announcement follows Airtel Nigeria’s recent approval from the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to construct 7,000 new telecom towers in rural areas. This investment aligns with the Nigerian government’s initiative to bridge the digital divide and enhance nationwide connectivity.
With this strategic partnership, MTN and Airtel Africa are set to accelerate network expansion, improve efficiency, and enhance customer experiences across multiple markets in Africa.
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