Nigeria’s telecommunications industry is poised to shift from a period of consolidation in 2025 to robust expansion in 2026, the Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) has said.
ATCON President Mr. Tony Emoekpere told journalists in Lagos that the sector is entering next year with renewed investor confidence, stronger fundamentals, and heightened digital demand after a year of stabilisation.
Emoekpere noted that despite challenges in 2025 including rising energy costs, foreign exchange pressures, high equipment import expenses, and persistent Right-of-Way issues operators maintained investment momentum and focused on network densification and energy transition.
Data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) shows that broadband penetration surpassed 50 % in 2025, driven by growing use of digital services such as payments, streaming, and cloud applications.
Looking ahead, ATCON said growth in 2026 will be driven by surging demand for data and digital services, including artificial intelligence and fintech-related traffic. Operators plan to ramp up investment in data centres, fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) networks, and last-mile broadband infrastructure.
Emoekpere also urged policymakers to harmonise Right-of-Way charges, reduce multiple taxation, and strengthen protection for telecom assets to support sustainable expansion. Visit www.jocomms.com for more news.