In an attempt to enhance cost savings and improve network coverage, MTN Group and Airtel African have signed up to share network infrastructure in Nigeria and Uganda.
The tie-up aims to reduce duplication of resources, boost operational efficiency, and accelerate access to financial and digital services in both countries. With telecommunications operators coming under mounting pressure to expand coverage at contained costs, network sharing has emerged as a key strategy to improve service delivery, particularly in rural and less served areas.
MTN Group President and CEO Ralph Mupita mentioned the increasing demand for digital and financial services across Africa, emphasizing that sharing infrastructure is a regulatory-backed opportunity to boost efficiency and improve returns.
“We are at MTN led by the ambition of delivering digital solutions that drive Africa’s development. We continue to invest in capacity and coverage so that we maintain high quality connectivity, and through sharing our resources where appropriate, we’re in a position to increase efficiency and improve customers’ experience,” Mupita said.
Airtel Africa CEO Sunil Taldar seconded the opinion, highlighting that even though the two companies are ardent competitors, they value the benefit of shared infrastructure in enhancing Africa’s financial and digital landscape.
“We wish to build a more complete and robust digital highway that fosters inclusion without replicating unnecessary and costly infrastructure, Taldar added.”.
The transaction is consistent with global telecom trends, where operators are joining hands to enhance quality of service and reduce capital expenditure. The merger will explore Radio Access Network (RAN) sharing, fibre infrastructure sharing, and, if necessary, joint fibre network build-out.
Following successful transactions already completed in Nigeria and Uganda, MTN and Airtel Africa are now also exploring similar collaborations in Congo-Brazzaville, Rwanda, and Zambia.
Despite this infrastructure sharing, the two companies will still be working separately in the market and remain open to deals with other operators to further increase the provision of services.
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