The Nigerian Communications Commission has partnered with Sweden’s Swedfund to boost 5G infrastructure and cybersecurity.
The deal aims to expand network coverage, ensure safer connectivity, and strengthen Nigeria’s digital economy.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has entered into a partnership with Sweden’s Swedfund to strengthen Nigeria’s 5G infrastructure, improve cybersecurity, and enhance public confidence in the country’s digital economy.
In a post shared on X on Wednesday, October 29, the NCC said the collaboration aims to ensure faster connectivity, lower latency, and greater capacity for millions of users while safeguarding the integrity of Nigeria’s growing network systems.
According to the commission, fifth-generation mobile technology delivers improved speed and performance but also introduces new security challenges due to its complex structure and multiple vendors. “Through this partnership, the NCC seeks to develop a risk-based framework that ensures 5G and future networks are designed and operated securely,” the statement read.
The NCC added that cybersecurity and trust are central to Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda, noting that 5G technology will play a vital role in powering key sectors such as power, health, education, and transport, while also protecting national interests.
Nigeria’s 5G rollout began in September 2022 when MTN became the first operator to launch the service, followed by Mafab Communications in January 2023 and Airtel in June 2023. Each of the three telecom firms paid $273.6 million for their 5G licenses.
Despite the progress, most Nigerians still depend on 4G services. A recent report by Ookla and the NCC found that ownership of 5G-enabled phones far exceeds available coverage. The report, titled Nigeria Network Performance & 5G Opportunity Analysis, revealed that 70.9 percent of 5G-capable devices in Lagos and 65.6 percent in Abuja are unable to connect to any 5G network.
The NCC said these findings show major gaps in connectivity across the country, particularly between urban centers where 5G is available and rural areas that still rely on 2G and 3G networks. It noted that this imbalance continues to hinder digital inclusion and economic growth outside major cities.
