MTN Group and Airtel Africa have entered into a network infrastructure-sharing agreement in Nigeria and Uganda, aiming to boost mobile connectivity in underserved areas. This collaboration focuses on cost optimization and improving mobile services, especially in remote regions where many lack access to modern digital services.
The partnership will explore Radio Access Network sharing and fibre infrastructure agreements, including the potential construction of new fibre networks where necessary.
MTN Group CEO Ralph Mupita emphasized the growing demand for digital services across Africa and the company’s commitment to investing in coverage and capacity to ensure high-quality connectivity.
Airtel Africa CEO Sunil Taldar noted that the shared infrastructure will enhance digital and financial inclusion while reducing the need for costly infrastructure duplication, improving operational efficiency.
Following agreements in Uganda and Nigeria, the companies are also looking into expanding this model to other countries, including Congo-Brazzaville, Rwanda, and Zambia. Airtel Africa serves over 156 million customers across 14 countries, while MTN operates in 19 countries with 287 million customers.