MTN Group has announced plans to gradually shut down its 3G network across Africa within the next four years, marking the end of an era for the technology that brought millions of Nigerians online for the first time. The move, confirmed during MTN Group's Capital Markets Day, signals a strategic shift toward faster 4G and 5G networks as the telecom giant reallocates resources to more efficient technologies.
MTN's 3G Shutdown Timeline and Rationale
Selorm Adadevoh, MTN Group's Chief Commercial, Strategy and Transformation Officer, stated that the company is prioritizing a 3G shutdown before 2030. "The focus today for us is really on 3G shutdown," he said. "We should have quite a robust plan between now and 2030 to shut down some of our 3G networks. From a technology and commercial basis, we actually do have readiness in some of our markets."
Although no specific date has been announced for Nigeria, preparations are already underway in several African markets. Industry experts attribute the decision to declining returns from 3G, as fewer subscribers rely on the technology. Shutting down 3G will allow operators to repurpose spectrum and tower capacity to expand 4G and 5G coverage.
The Rise and Fall of 3G in Nigeria
3G technology first arrived in Nigeria in 2006 when Starcomms introduced the country's first 3G service using Evolution-Data Optimised (EV-DO) technology. Before that, internet access was largely confined to cybercafés and office connections. The introduction of 3G revolutionized connectivity, enabling Nigerians to browse the web, send emails, and access online services from laptops and mobile phones.
The transformation accelerated in 2007 after telecom operators secured 3G spectrum licences and began nationwide commercial rollouts. The global smartphone boom powered this growth, with BlackBerry smartphones becoming status symbols and BBM reshaping communication among youth and professionals. Android devices later brought affordable internet access to millions. By 2014 and 2015, 3G accounted for nearly half of all mobile internet connections in Nigeria, becoming the backbone of the country's digital economy, supporting e-commerce, online media, fintech, and digital communities.
Current Network Statistics: 4G and 5G Dominate
Data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) shows that 3G access has plummeted to just 5.32% as of April 2026, making it one of the least-used mobile technologies in the country. In contrast, 4G now accounts for 54.41% of mobile connections, while 2G still holds a 35.93% share. 5G, which launched commercially in Nigeria in 2022, has already reached 4.34% access and continues to expand rapidly.
According to TechCabal, MTN's 4G network now covers more than 84% of the population, and other operators are investing heavily to migrate subscribers to faster broadband services.
Expert Concerns: Risk of Leaving Millions Behind
Despite the clear shift toward newer technologies, some industry stakeholders caution against a premature 3G shutdown. Technology and digital infrastructure expert Olajide Mafolabomi argued that Nigeria needs broader 4G adoption before retiring 3G. "Before you can say you have enough of a critical mass on 4G, you need to get to maybe 85% to 90% of connections," he said.
For now, 3G remains operational, but its future is increasingly uncertain. As telecom operators race toward a 4G and 5G future, Nigeria is preparing to bid farewell to the technology that first put the internet in millions of pockets and transformed the country's digital landscape.
MTN MoMo Evolves into a Super App
In a related development, MTN is preparing a major digital shake-up in Nigeria as its fintech arm transforms MoMo into a full-scale super app. The platform will handle payments, shopping, savings, and lifestyle services in one place. MTN confirmed that the upgraded platform will launch in Nigeria next quarter through a strategic partnership with Ant International, the Singapore-based fintech company behind China's Alipay. This move signals MTN's ambition to deepen its influence in Africa's rapidly expanding digital finance space.
