Both telecom giants announced the deal on Wednesday, emphasizing that sharing network resources will reduce the heavy financial burden of building and maintaining mobile networks, particularly for advanced 5G technology.
Why the Collaboration Matters
African mobile operators are experiencing a surge in demand for digital and financial services, but the cost of expanding and maintaining networks remains high. By working together, MTN and Airtel Africa hope to extend coverage more efficiently, especially in underserved areas, without duplicating costly infrastructure investments.
Expansion Plans Beyond Nigeria and Uganda
The companies also disclosed plans to explore network-sharing opportunities in additional markets, including Congo-Brazzaville, Rwanda, and Zambia.
The partnership covers multiple aspects of infrastructure sharing, including:
- Radio Access Network (RAN) sharing – The most expensive component of network deployment and operation.
- Fibre infrastructure sharing – Both companies may enter commercial and technical agreements to share existing fibre networks.
- New fibre network construction – If necessary, MTN and Airtel may jointly invest in building new fibre networks to strengthen connectivity.
Despite their collaboration, both companies remain open to working with other telecom operators in different markets.
Executives Speak on the Agreement
MTN Group CEO Ralph Mupita emphasized that the company’s mission is to provide digital solutions that drive Africa’s progress.
“We continue to see strong demand for digital and financial services across our markets. To meet this demand, we are investing in coverage and capacity to ensure high-quality connectivity for our customers. However, there are opportunities within regulatory frameworks for resource-sharing to enhance efficiency and improve financial returns.”
Airtel Africa CEO Sunil Taldar highlighted that infrastructure sharing would eliminate unnecessary duplication and reduce costs.
“By working together, operators can expand network coverage faster, particularly in rural and sparsely populated areas where building separate networks may not be financially viable.”
What This Means for Customers
This collaboration is expected to enhance network reliability, increase coverage, and accelerate the rollout of advanced technologies like 5G. It also ensures that both companies can deliver better services at lower costs, benefiting millions of mobile users in Nigeria, Uganda, and beyond.