Joy Agwunobi
Airtel Nigeria is set to double its capital investment in the country, unveiling an ambitious initiative aimed at closing the remaining 15 per cent network coverage gap.
The expanded investment, which will fund key network upgrades and the rollout of advanced technologies, underscores Airtel’s long-term commitment to becoming a central pillar in Nigeria’s journey toward a fully digital economy.
According to the company, the new investment will target four critical areas: rural network expansion, data capacity enhancement, infrastructure modernisation, and the deployment of next-generation technologies like 5G.
Speaking in a recent televised interview, Dinesh Balsingh, chief executive officer of Airtel Nigeria, “Our vision is to leave no Nigerian behind.This investment is specifically designed to bridge the 15 per cent coverage gap, particularly in rural and remote areas where connectivity can be transformative.”
While Nigeria’s broadband penetration remains under 50 per cent, Balsingh stated that Airtel currently covers about 84 to 85 per cent of the population, leaving approximately 15 per cent still uncovered—most of whom reside in rural and remote areas.
“This investment is specifically designed to bridge that last 15 per cent coverage gap,” Balsingh revealed. “Our goal is to connect every remote corner of Nigeria—not just with basic connectivity, but with high-quality digital services that can support education, healthcare, and financial inclusion.”
Balsingh further shedded light on the rationale behind the increased investments in the country. He highlighted Nigeria’s vast market potential, driven by its large and growing population and the strategic importance of the ICT sector in the national economy.
“Nigeria is a massive market with a population of over 220 million, growing at about five million people annually,” Balsingh stated. “It accounts for nearly half of West Africa’s population and is projected to become the third most populous country globally in the coming decades. The demographic is largely youthful, which presents a great opportunity for digital expansion.”
Balsingh further pointed out that the ICT sector has become a key growth engine for the Nigerian economy, contributing approximately 20 per cent to the country’s real GDP growth. “We see a huge responsibility and an even larger opportunity in this market. As a customer-centric organisation, Airtel places users at the heart of its operations, and this necessitates continuous investment in robust digital infrastructure,” he added.
He stressed the importance of ensuring that rural communities are not left behind, particularly as Nigeria moves towards a more digitally-driven economy. “Basic infrastructure in these areas needs to improve, and we believe that telecommunications—and Airtel in particular—will be the core pillar on which other sectors like health, education, and financial services can build and scale,” he added.
In addition to extending coverage, the investment will be directed at significantly improving service quality for existing users. This includes faster data speeds, greater network stability, and more reliable digital access in both urban and rural settings.
“These investments are going to improve data speed, network stability, and the overall user experience,” he said. “We are focusing on making services accessible even in the remotest corners of the country, which is critical for sectors like healthcare that require low latency applications. Whether it’s telemedicine, remote learning, or digital banking—connectivity is at the heart of it all.”
The expanded capital injection will primarily target network enhancements, including the rollout and upgrade of 4G and 5G technologies, expansion into underserved rural communities, and increasing overall data capacity.
Balsingh also pointed to homes and office environments as another area where enhanced service delivery will be felt. “Homes today need ultra-high-speed connectivity for multiple users streaming, working, and learning simultaneously. That requires massive bandwidth and reliability.”
Furthermore, the company plans to expand its retail and service distribution network, ensuring that customers can easily access Airtel’s products and services wherever they are. “Expanding our physical footprint is another key area where subscribers will see improved service quality and ease of access,” he added.
To support this aggressive expansion, Airtel will also invest in spectrum acquisition, which is crucial for boosting both coverage and capacity. This will enable the company to meet the growing demand for high-speed internet, especially as Nigeria transitions to more data-intensive technologies like 5G.
Part of the investment will go into fiber deployment—both laying new fiber optic cables and redeploying existing ones—to strengthen the backbone of the network. Balsingh emphasised that this is essential to support not only individual and business data needs but also AI-driven tools and digital platforms that rely on stable, high-throughput connectivity.
“These investments span our digital tools, data centers, and fiber networks—all of which are essential to delivering on the promise of a digitally inclusive Nigeria,” he noted.
Beyond infrastructure, Airtel is investing in AI-powered tools and customer-facing innovations to enhance user experience and convenience.
Balsingh highlighted the company’s Spam Alert AI service, which identifies and flags suspected spam messages in real-time—an initiative that has received strong positive feedback from subscribers. “It’s an example of how we are using AI not just for operational efficiency, but to protect and serve everyday Nigerians,” he said.
He also discussed improving its self-service platforms, allowing customers to manage their accounts, resolve issues, and access services without needing to visit physical stores—streamlining user interaction and reducing service friction.
Looking ahead, Balsingh underlined three core aspirations that will guide Airtel Nigeria’s journey including maintaining leadership in digital connectivity, becoming a trusted partner in the progress of every Nigerian and making meaningful contributions to the daily lives of citizens
“Airtel wants to be known not just for network coverage, but for the role we play in empowering communities and supporting national development,” he added.
This development comes on the heels of a major financial turnaround for the parent company, Airtel Africa, which reported a pre-tax profit of $661 million for the full fiscal year ending 2025—marking a significant recovery from a $63 million loss in the previous year.
Airtel Africa also revealed that it is preparing for an initial public offering (IPO) of its mobile money arm, Airtel Money, scheduled for the first quarter of 2026. In addition, the group has commenced the second phase of its $100 million share buyback program, reflecting strong investor confidence and a focus on value creation.
