• Makes case for broadband usage, targets 8 million homes
Chairman of MTN Nigeria, Dr Ernest Ndukwe, has called for greater regulatory precision and long-term policy stability across African markets to sustain the continent’s growing telecommunications sector and support the expansion of African multinationals.
Speaking at the 31st Nigerian Economic Summit (NES) in Abuja during a plenary session titled “Titans on the Move: Africa’s Multinationals,” Ndukwe said that the success of Africa’s telecoms industry depends heavily on stable and predictable regulatory frameworks that encourage long-term investment.
“Telecoms companies make investments that run into billions of dollars. Without consistent regulatory environments, it becomes extremely difficult to plan and sustain such levels of capital deployment,” he said.
He described telecommunications as Africa’s “invisible infrastructure,” explaining that the sector underpins trade, financial inclusion, innovation, and connectivity across the continent. According to him, the telecoms industry is not only driving communication but also enabling other sectors to thrive in an increasingly digital global economy.
Ndukwe, a former Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), noted that MTN has grown into one of the world’s leading mobile operators, with MTN Nigeria ranking among the top 20 globally by subscriber base.
“These rankings demonstrate that Africa is not just a consumer of global innovations; it can also create companies that compete at the highest levels. Expansion across African markets has proven that multinationals from this continent can shape the global conversation,” he said.
Reflecting on lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, Ndukwe said the crisis exposed how indispensable the telecoms sector has become to modern economies. “It showed us that without robust telecoms networks, national economies would have been paralysed. This is why continued investment in telecoms infrastructure must be prioritised if Africa is serious about integration and growth,” he added.
According to him, telecommunications plays a much broader role than connecting people—it opens access to financial services, education, and new opportunities for millions of Africans excluded from formal systems. He cited the rise of mobile money as a homegrown innovation that is bridging gaps in financial inclusion.
“Telecoms does more than connect people. It creates access for millions who are excluded from formal banking and education systems. The rise of mobile money shows how African innovations are uniquely solving African problems,” Ndukwe stated.
Other panellists at the session echoed similar sentiments. CEO of Flutterwave, Olugbenga Agboola, spoke about how fintech companies are integrating fragmented payment systems to facilitate cross-border trade, while Girish Sharma, Managing Director/CEO of Guinness Nigeria Plc, said that sustainability for multinationals depends on building trust and long-term partnerships with local communities.
The session concluded that African multinationals — from telecoms and fintech to consumer goods — are redefining economic integration across the continent. For Ndukwe, the message was clear: Africa’s economic future rests on the strength of its “invisible infrastructure” — telecommunications — and the continent’s ability to create a stable policy environment that supports continued investment and innovation.
Meanwhile, the telco has announced an ambitious plan to expand high-speed broadband coverage to eight million homes by 2028 as part of its transition from a traditional telecom operator to a technology company (TechCo).
Chief Broadband Officer, Egerton Idehen, disclosed this during the Nigeria Digital Transformation virtual session with MIP Fellows at the weekend.
Idehen likened broadband to “the electricity of the digital age” urging media practitioners to amplify the call for more people to connect to fibre or other broadband networks.
He said fewer than 2% of Nigerian homes currently have fixed broadband access, a gap MTN seeks to close through its Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) initiative, which already spans 16 states.
The Broadband Chief explained that the company’s rollout combines fiber with 4G/5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) to ensure nationwide reach, especially in areas where fiber deployment is not cost-effective.
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“We won’t bring a Rolls Royce where there’s no road,” Idehen said, noting that fiber serves dense urban centers while wireless broadband will reach semi-urban and rural communities.
He emphasised that MTN’s broadband expansion aligns with the Federal Government’s National Broadband Plan and Digital Economy Policy, adding that every kilometer of fiber laid strengthens Nigeria’s economic resilience and competitiveness.
However, Idehen lamented persistent obstacles such as vandalism, right-of-way (RoW) bottlenecks, and community resistance, which he said cause about 30-35 fiber cuts daily and significantly raise maintenance costs.
“Vandalism doesn’t just disrupt MTN’s service; it disrupts lives, businesses, and the economy. Protecting this infrastructure should be a shared national responsibility,” he added.
Idehen also highlighted ongoing efforts to improve affordability, customer experience, and partnerships with local contractors, state governments, and estate developers to integrate fiber into new housing projects. He noted that MTN is exploring bundled broadband packages with streaming services to enrich customer experience.
While acknowledging the country’s broadband penetration of around 50%, Idehen expressed optimism that the national target of 70% by 2027 is achievable through collaboration between government, operators, and communities.
“Every home we connect represents a new opportunity for learning, growth, and connection. We’re not just building networks, we’re building Nigeria’s digital future,” he stressed.