Abuja, Nigeria – MTN Group and Airtel Africa have entered into strategic agreements to share network infrastructure in Nigeria and Uganda, aiming to enhance digital and financial inclusion across the continent.
The partnership aligns with regulatory requirements in both countries while improving service delivery and operational efficiency.
In a joint statement released on Wednesday, the telecom giants emphasized their commitment to expanding mobile coverage, particularly in remote and underserved regions. By collaborating on infrastructure sharing, MTN and Airtel Africa seek to optimize costs and improve service quality for millions of customers who have yet to fully experience digital connectivity.
Addressing Rising Demand for Digital Services
MTN Group President and CEO Ralph Mupita highlighted the increasing demand for digital and financial services across Africa. He underscored MTN’s commitment to investing in network capacity and coverage while leveraging regulatory provisions that enable resource-sharing for greater efficiency.
“As MTN, our focus remains on delivering digital solutions that drive Africa’s progress. We continue to witness strong demand for connectivity and financial services, and this partnership supports our efforts to meet those needs while enhancing network efficiency,” Mupita stated.
Airtel Africa’s Chief Executive Officer Sunil Taldar echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing that collaboration in infrastructure does not diminish competition but rather strengthens market offerings.
“As competitors, we continue to differentiate ourselves through brand strength and service offerings. However, by sharing network infrastructure within the regulatory framework, we are building a more expansive digital ecosystem. This reduces the duplication of costly infrastructure, ultimately benefiting customers through better coverage and service quality,” Taldar explained.
The Impact of Network Sharing
This agreement reflects a global shift towards cooperative network development, allowing telecom operators to enhance service reach while managing costs effectively. Infrastructure sharing can lead to the delivery of high-quality mobile services to more users, particularly in rural areas where connectivity remains limited.
Following these agreements in Uganda and Nigeria, MTN and Airtel Africa are exploring similar partnerships in other countries, including Rwanda, Zambia, and Congo-Brazzaville. Potential areas of collaboration include Radio Access Network (RAN) sharing, fibre infrastructure agreements, and, where necessary, joint fibre network construction.
Despite this collaboration, both telecom operators affirmed their commitment to maintaining competitive market dynamics. They will continue to operate independently while exploring new ways to improve network efficiencies and enhance customer experience.
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