Nigeria’s mobile market rebounded in August as active subscriptions jumped to 171.3 million users.
Airtel, MTN and Globacom drove the growth while T2 stayed flat at 2.7 million.
Nigeria’s mobile phone market bounced back in August, with active subscriptions rising to 171.3 million after a dip in July, according to fresh data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
The recovery was led mainly by Airtel and MTN. Airtel gained about 1.5 million new users in August, pushing its active customers to 58 million from 56.5 million in July. MTN added nearly 500,000 new users, bringing its total to 89.6 million. Globacom also posted growth, adding over 173,000 new customers to reach 20.9 million active subscriptions.
T2, formerly 9mobile, did not register any growth during the month, holding steady at 2.7 million active subscribers. This marked a reversal of July, when T2 was the only operator to post gains while its rivals lost customers.
NCC figures show MTN remained the market leader with a 52.31 per cent share. Airtel followed with 33.89 per cent, Globacom held 12.21 per cent, and T2 had 1.59 per cent.
Industry experts say MTN’s dominance stems from its extensive network coverage and ongoing customer acquisition campaigns, while Airtel’s focus on affordable data plans and digital services is helping it close the gap.
The rise in subscriptions also boosted Nigeria’s teledensity, the ratio of active lines to the population, which went up to 79.14 per cent in August from 78.11 per cent in July.
A year-on-year look at the data shows steady growth. In August 2023, active mobile subscriptions were about 165 million, which means the sector added roughly 6.3 million new users in one year despite economic challenges, currency fluctuations, and fierce competition.
Analysts note that Nigeria’s mobile sector remains vital to the country’s digital economy, enabling services in e-commerce, fintech, and online learning. They also credit subscriber gains to targeted promotions, network expansion, and new digital offerings.
While T2 showed no growth, the overall rebound suggests the telecom market is regaining strength after July’s slowdown. Observers expect more growth in the coming months as operators launch new data packages and partner with tech companies to deliver bundled digital services
