Nigeria’s mobile network operators are set to significantly increase spending on network infrastructure in 2026, with planned investments expected to exceed the over $1bn (about N1.4tn) injected into the sector in 2025, according to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
The commitment follows a year of heavy capital expenditure, during which telecom operators rolled out more than 2,850 new network sites nationwide. The expansion improved coverage across urban centres, rural communities, and major transport corridors, while also supporting the gradual rollout of 5G services.
The NCC said improvements recorded in its latest network performance report were largely driven by last year’s investments, noting that the deployment of new sites significantly expanded both network coverage and capacity across the country.
The regulator disclosed that operators have committed to surpassing their 2025 investment levels in 2026, with infrastructure expansion continuing at an accelerated pace.
Nigeria continues to face rising data demand, increasing operating costs, and pressure to extend reliable connectivity beyond major cities, challenges common across many developing economies. Last year’s network expansion followed a period of financial strain in the sector, during which operators lobbied for higher tariffs. A 50 per cent increase in service charges, approved by regulators, helped relieve pressure on the industry, enabling a return to profitability and renewed investment plans.
The NCC’s Q4 2025 performance report showed steady improvements in key indicators, including better median download speeds in both urban and rural areas, a narrowing gap in video quality experience between locations, and continued strengthening of the country’s 4G network backbone.
However, the commission acknowledged that challenges remain, including gaps in 5G service availability, inequalities in upload speeds, and pockets of limited mobile coverage in some parts of the country.
The NCC said it is working with operators to address these shortcomings, stressing that increased infrastructure spending in 2026 will be critical to closing coverage gaps and meeting Nigeria’s growing demand for data services.
The commission added that its network performance reports are part of a broader push for transparent, data-driven regulation, supported by independent network intelligence data, and expressed confidence that higher investment levels will translate into improved network reliability, speed, coverage, and a more inclusive digital ecosystem for both urban and underserved communities.
