MTN Group and Airtel Africa have signed an agreement to share network infrastructure in Nigeria and Uganda, a strategic move aimed at reducing rising operational costs while expanding mobile coverage to underserved areas. The rare collaboration underscores a broader shift toward cost optimisation among African telecom giants as currency devaluation and economic headwinds strain profitability.
Nigeria, the biggest market for both companies, has been particularly challenging. The country accounts for 40% of MTN Group’s revenue and 34.4% of Airtel Africa’s. However, both telecom giants have struggled with revenue declines since 2023 due to naira devaluation. The currency slump has inflated network deployment costs, forcing operators to scale back infrastructure investment. By sharing towers, base stations, and fiber-optic networks, MTN and Airtel aim to manage expenses while improving connectivity in remote areas.
Read more at Techcabal
Nigeria, the biggest market for both companies, has been particularly challenging. The country accounts for 40% of MTN Group’s revenue and 34.4% of Airtel Africa’s. However, both telecom giants have struggled with revenue declines since 2023 due to naira devaluation. The currency slump has inflated network deployment costs, forcing operators to scale back infrastructure investment. By sharing towers, base stations, and fiber-optic networks, MTN and Airtel aim to manage expenses while improving connectivity in remote areas.
Read more at Techcabal