Airtel Nigeria has announced major new investments aimed at accelerating the rollout of 5G infrastructure nationwide to meet the country’s growing demand for high-speed data.
Speaking at a media roundtable in Lagos, Airtel’s Chief Executive Officer, Dinesh Balsingh, said the company is set to ramp up deployment over the next few months. Although Airtel, MTN, and Mafab hold 5G licences, penetration remains limited, with just 3.07% coverage as of June 2025, according to Nigerian Communications Commission data.
Balsingh explained that the surge in data consumption—driven by rapid urbanisation, digital transformation, and mobile-first lifestyles—is putting immense pressure on existing networks. Cities like Lagos are experiencing massive bandwidth demand due to the proliferation of connected devices and online activity.
“Airtel sees data as the new oxygen,” Balsingh said. “This investment isn’t just about faster browsing—it’s about enabling education, healthcare, digital commerce, and broader economic inclusion through a high-capacity, future-proof network.”
However, the CEO acknowledged that infrastructure alone isn’t enough. Many Nigerians still lack 5G-enabled devices. To address this, Airtel is partnering with device manufacturers to lower the cost of smartphones that can support the next-gen network, as part of its effort to build a comprehensive 5G ecosystem.
Balsingh said the goal is to ensure that every Nigerian, regardless of income level, can benefit from 5G connectivity. While Airtel has already achieved near-total 4G coverage in most urban areas, the company is focused on bridging the affordability gap that still hinders 5G adoption.
He concluded that unlocking the full potential of 5G in Nigeria will require a joint effort between network providers, manufacturers, and regulators to make devices accessible and the technology inclusive.
