Nigeria’s telecommunications industry attracted over $1 billion in capital investment in 2025, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has disclosed, with funding directed at expanding network infrastructure and improving service quality across urban and rural areas.
The investment contributed to the rollout of thousands of new network sites and signalled sustained investor confidence in the country’s digital economy.
The NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman, Dr. Aminu Maida, disclosed the investment figure in a statement accompanying the release of the regulator’s Fourth Quarter 2025 Network Performance Report, produced in collaboration with global analytics firm Ookla.
According to the NCC, the funds underpinned improvements in network coverage and capacity, particularly in median download speeds and overall service experience nationwide.
“In 2025, over $1 billion in industry investment resulted in the deployment of more than 2,850 new sites to expand both coverage and capacity nationwide,” Maida said, noting that the capital inflows were a key driver of performance gains reflected in the report.
Data from the report showed steady gains in network quality in key performance indicators, including improved median download speeds in urban and rural communities compared with the third quarter of 2025, a narrowing of the video Quality of Experience gap between urban and rural zones and a strengthening 4G backbone across Nigeria.
Maida said the NCC’s regulatory framework emphasises data‑driven oversight, targeted interventions such as spectrum optimisation and enforcement of quality‑of‑service standards.
He added that continued collaboration with network operators is essential to sustaining network expansion and bridging connectivity gaps nationwide.
The NCC boss acknowledged that challenges persist, particularly in 5G availability, upload speeds and comprehensive mobile service reach, and said regulatory engagements with operators are ongoing to address those issues as part of broader connectivity goals.
Industry sources point to the capital inflows as part of a broader trend of investments in digital infrastructure, supported by regulatory reforms such as tariff adjustments and incentives aimed at stimulating broadband rollout, reducing barriers to investment and enhancing the quality of service.
Recent industry discussions suggest operators have pledged to exceed 2025 investment levels in 2026, further expanding network footprints and service capabilities nationwide.
Telecommunications remains a critical pillar of Nigeria’s digital economy, with the sector supporting internet access for millions of citizens and enabling services ranging from e‑commerce to digital finance.
The NCC’s 2025 report suggests that sustained investment momentum in infrastructure is vital to achieving wider broadband penetration and inclusive connectivity across Nigeria.
The $1 billion‑plus capital attracted in 2025 highlights private sector confidence in the telecom market and underscores the sector’s role as a key driver of digital transformation and economic development in Africa’s most populous nation.
