MTN and 9Mobile sign national roaming deal to boost connectivity and bridge telecom gaps.
NCC-approved partnership lets 9Mobile users access MTN’s network in underserved areas nationwide.
To enhance telecom access and improve service delivery, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has approved a three-year national roaming agreement between MTN Nigeria Communications Plc and Emerging Markets Telecommunications Services Limited (9Mobile). This agreement enables 9Mobile subscribers to utilize MTN’s extensive network, particularly in areas where 9Mobile’s coverage is limited.
In a formal announcement to the Nigerian Exchange and the investing public, MTN Nigeria confirmed that the roaming arrangement will last for three years, aiming to enhance the service experience and operational efficiency for 9Mobile customers. By utilizing MTN’s vast network, 9Mobile users will benefit from uninterrupted connectivity nationwide.
This agreement represents a significant advancement in infrastructure sharing within Nigeria’s telecommunications sector, an approach that regulators, such as the NCC, have long advocated for. The partnership is expected to encourage industry collaboration, enhance customer satisfaction, and minimize duplicated infrastructure investments. It aligns with the NCC vision of creating a more interconnected and competitive telecommunications market.
“This agreement signifies a major step in our commitment to fostering industry collaboration, enhancing customer experience, and supporting the NCC vision of a fully connected Nigeria,” said MTN Nigeria CEO Karl Toriola. “Delivering telecom services at scale in Nigeria requires strong partnerships across both public and private sectors. We are proud to announce this agreement after months of strategic planning.”
As of March 2025, data from the Nigerian telecom regulator shows that mobile subscriptions in Nigeria have surpassed 172 million. MTN Nigeria, the largest operator, controls approximately 90.4 million active lines, representing 52.48% of the total market share.
In comparison, 9Mobile holds only 2.8 million active subscriptions, accounting for just 1.72% of the market. Unlike its competitors, 9Mobile has consistently lost customers over the years due to limited infrastructure and service delivery challenges. Its subscriber base stagnated between February and March 2025, primarily because of technical issues that hindered users from porting out of the network.
By leveraging MTN’s superior infrastructure through this roaming agreement, 9Mobile is expected to stabilize its services and potentially regain consumer confidence in underserved regions.
This latest initiative builds on a 2020 pilot project in Ondo State, where MTN and 9Mobile received permission from the NCC to test a limited roaming agreement. The pilot aimed to evaluate the operational viability of national roaming in addressing connectivity gaps in rural areas. Its relative success has paved the way for this more comprehensive rollout.
The NCC has consistently encouraged mobile network operators to adopt infrastructure-sharing frameworks, such as tower co-location and joint fiber deployments, to reduce capital expenditure, improve operational efficiency, and enhance service availability in remote locations.
The three-year roaming agreement between MTN Nigeria and 9Mobile could mark a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s telecom sector. If implemented successfully, it has the potential to bridge digital divides, support rural connectivity efforts, and serve as a practical example of how strategic partnerships can reshape market dynamics without necessitating large proprietary investments. As the industry anticipates implementation timelines and early impact reports, this development is being widely viewed as a model for future collaborations aimed at achieving a fully connected Nigeria.
