Airtel Nigeria Unveils Comprehensive Network Expansion Strategy
Airtel Nigeria has revealed an ambitious network, infrastructure and technology enhancement program designed to establish the company as a service quality leader as Nigeria's telecommunications sector enters a new growth phase. The strategic updates were presented during the company's inaugural 2026 media roundtable, reflecting sustained investments made over the past 12 to 24 months to accommodate rapidly increasing data consumption in Nigeria's digitalizing economy.
Strategic Investments for Future Growth
Speaking at the event, Airtel Nigeria's Chief Executive Officer, Dinesh Balsingh, emphasized that the company's approach concentrates on scale, depth and resilience. He stated: "Over the last two years, we have invested with discipline and clarity to strengthen our network nationwide. Those investments are now translating into measurable improvements in performance, customer experience and reach, including in underserved and hard to reach communities. In 2026, we are accelerating these upgrades because Nigeria's data appetite is growing, and leadership in this industry will belong to those who plan ahead."
According to Balsingh, Airtel is intensifying its upgrade initiatives in 2026 because future industry leadership will depend on proactive planning and capacity expansion.
Network Expansion and 5G Acceleration
A central component of Airtel Nigeria's quality-of-service initiative involves the rapid expansion of its network footprint. Since December 2023, the company has increased its number of network sites by 15.5%, adding 2,242 new sites to reach nearly 16,711 nationwide. Additional deployments are scheduled for 2026 to enhance coverage, capacity and network resilience across both urban and rural regions.
Simultaneously, Airtel has implemented substantial capacity upgrades. During 2025, the company enhanced capacity on 30% of its sites, covering more than 5,032 locations nationwide. Consequently, 99% of Airtel Nigeria's sites now provide high-speed 4G mobile broadband, effectively establishing the operator as a nationwide 4G network.
Airtel is also accelerating its 5G deployment. Over the past three months, the number of active 5G sites has more than doubled. The ongoing rollout will connect Nigeria's top 20 cities to high-speed 5G networks, with a significant portion of Airtel's infrastructure in these urban centers expected to become 5G-enabled within the next year.
Fibre, Satellite and Cloud Infrastructure Development
Beyond terrestrial mobile infrastructure, Airtel Nigeria is extending connectivity through fibre, satellite and cloud-based solutions. The company has constructed an extensive fibre network across nearly all states and is currently expanding it by 25% following a decision to double capital expenditure. Additional fibre extensions are planned within major metropolitan areas and across state boundaries.
Airtel is also utilizing partnerships with OneWeb and Starlink to deliver satellite-enabled connectivity for enterprises and remote communities.
National Internet Resilience and Data Centre Plans
At a national level, Airtel announced intentions to launch Nigeria's second internet breakout point from the South, utilizing the 2Africa submarine cable. Internet traffic will soon be routed from Kwa Ibo in Akwa Ibom State, creating an alternative pathway that enhances speed and resilience for substantial portions of the country.
Supporting these services is a robust IT and cloud backbone, including a private cloud with large GPU clusters for AI-driven applications. Airtel additionally plans to inaugurate a hyperscaler-ready 38-megawatt data centre in Eko Atlantic, specifically designed to support Nigeria's next phase of digital growth.
The comprehensive infrastructure upgrades demonstrate Airtel Nigeria's commitment to meeting the nation's escalating data demands while positioning itself as a telecommunications leader through strategic investments in network technology, fibre expansion and digital infrastructure development.
