The Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) has predicted a shift in the telecoms sector from consolidation in 2025 to expansion in 2026.
President Tony Emoekpere shared the outlook in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos.
He attributed the expected growth to renewed investor confidence, surging digital demand, and better policy coordination.
Emoekpere described 2025 as a year of stabilisation, with operators maintaining capital discipline amid rising energy costs and foreign exchange challenges.
Industry players focused on network densification in high-demand areas and transitioned to solar and hybrid energy systems to cut diesel reliance.
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Broadband penetration surpassed 50 per cent in 2025, driven by increased data consumption from digital payments, streaming, and cloud services.
The Nigerian Communications Commission supported confidence through transparent reporting, Quality of Service enforcement, and spectrum management.
Emoekpere urged intensified investments in data centres, fibre-to-the-home, and fixed wireless access for 2026.
He called for protecting telecom infrastructure as critical national assets, harmonising Right-of-Way charges, and reducing multiple taxation.
This projected expansion builds on sector resilience, positioning Nigeria’s telecoms industry for scaled infrastructure and deeper digital inclusion nationwide.
