Nigeria’s telecommunications operators have committed to investing ₦1.86 trillion in 2026 to accelerate Nigeria telecom network expansion as they seek stronger policy support to strengthen digital infrastructure and sustain the country’s digital economy.
The investment, announced by the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) during the ICTEL Expo Conference, is expected to fund fibre network expansion, technology upgrades, network resilience and service quality improvements. The industry had already invested approximately ₦2.13 trillion in capital expenditure during 2025, highlighting continued momentum behind Nigeria telecom network expansion despite challenging economic conditions.
Investment Targets Digital Infrastructure Growth
ALTON Chairman Gbenga Adebayo said telecommunications has become a critical driver of economic development, supporting industries including banking, manufacturing, healthcare and education through reliable digital connectivity.
He noted that the planned investment would strengthen broadband infrastructure, modernise telecom networks and improve service delivery across the country. According to Adebayo, Nigeria telecom network expansion is becoming increasingly important as the country’s competitiveness depends on high-quality digital infrastructure alongside transport and logistics networks.
He also credited the Federal Government’s 2025 tariff adjustment policy with helping restore financial sustainability across the sector, allowing operators to continue investing in network development.
However, Adebayo said official investment figures may not fully reflect the industry’s contribution because much of the funding comes from domestic capital and reinvested earnings. He called for closer collaboration between regulators and financial institutions to establish a more transparent framework for tracking investment across the telecom sector.
AI Ambitions Depend on Strong Telecom Networks
Addressing Nigeria’s artificial intelligence ambitions, Adebayo said advanced digital services require reliable broadband connectivity, secure cloud infrastructure, resilient data centres and stable power supplies.
He encouraged the country to develop local AI capabilities alongside expanding digital infrastructure, noting that Nigeria telecom network expansion will provide the connectivity foundation needed to support AI innovation, enterprise digital transformation and future economic growth.
Responding to concerns over alleged customer data misuse, Adebayo said telecom operators have no commercial incentive to consume subscribers’ data, explaining that background smartphone activities such as cloud synchronisation, software updates and streaming services account for much of users’ data consumption. He noted that operators’ billing systems are regulated by the Nigerian Communications Commission and subject to international auditing standards.
Adebayo concluded that closer collaboration between government and industry will be essential to sustain investment and advance Nigeria telecom network expansion, positioning telecommunications as a foundation for long-term economic growth across the country.