By Chinenye Anuforo
In a landmark development poised to reshape Nigeria’s telecommunications landscape, 9mobile and MTN Nigeria have forged an unprecedented infrastructure-sharing partnership.
This strategic alliance promises to significantly expand network coverage and enhance efficiency, with direct and immediate benefits for 9mobile subscribers across the nation. By the end of July, millions of 9mobile users are expected to experience superior service quality through enhanced access to MTN’s robust radio access network.
The collaboration marks a pioneering achievement, not just for Nigeria but for the entire West, Central, and East African regions. Obafemi Banigbe, CEO of 9mobile, emphasized the historical significance at the official unveiling, stating, “This is the first time such a collaboration is being implemented in this region. We are proud to be pioneers of a model that prioritizes efficiency and customer experience over duplication.”
This agreement is a commercial arrangement, not a merger. 9mobile will leverage MTN’s extensive infrastructure while meticulously maintaining its distinct core network and service identity. This move signals a clear industry shift towards smart, collaborative growth strategies.
For 9mobile customers, the transition is designed to be seamless and immediate. Following successful testing, a full national rollout is scheduled for the end of July. “For our subscribers, the experience will be seamless,” Banigbe assured. Existing 9mobile users with active lines linked to their National Identification Number (NIN) will automatically connect to the enhanced 9mobile network, now supercharged by MTN’s expansive reach. This means no re-registration or hassle, just significantly improved connectivity.
Beyond immediate convenience, this partnership is a strategic imperative driven by a shared vision for a sustainable future. For 9mobile, it perfectly aligns with their “Build where we must, share where we can” philosophy, ensuring capital efficiency and optimised returns for investors. With Nigeria’s population projected to reach 400 million in the next two decades, a substantial portion being young and digitally native, this proactive step is crucial for meeting escalating digital and communication demands.
Lynda Saint-Nwafor, Chief Enterprise Business Officer at MTN Nigeria, highlighted MTN’s commitment to co-opetition, a powerful blend of collaboration and healthy competition. She noted that this initiative is integral to MTN’s Ambition 2025 strategy, focusing on shared value creation and broadening access to digital life for all Nigerians.
Both executives clarified that this is a balanced commercial deal, far from a freeloading arrangement. 9mobile will compensate MTN for access to its infrastructure under a mutually beneficial framework, ensuring that billing and customer relationships remain firmly with 9mobile. This win-win scenario fosters cooperation on infrastructure while preserving vigorous competition on pricing, service delivery, and innovation.
Saint-Nwafor drew parallels to the industry’s evolution in tower-sharing, which began in 2014. Just as operators transitioned from individual tower construction to shared infrastructure, the industry is now progressing to shared radio access networks, a global best practice that minimises capital waste, enhances service delivery, and allows operators to laser-focus on customer needs.
This groundbreaking partnership sets a new precedent for sustainable growth in Nigeria’s capital-intensive telecom sector. By prioritising smart collaboration and efficient resource allocation, 9mobile and MTN are not only bolstering their own networks but also laying a robust foundation for the entire industry to meet the surging demand for mobile data and digital connectivity in the years to come.
