MTN Group and Airtel Africa have entered into a strategic partnership to share network infrastructure in Uganda and Nigeria, reinforcing their commitment to expanding digital and financial access across Africa. These agreements are designed to comply with local regulatory guidelines while enhancing service quality and cost efficiency.
By pooling resources, the telecom giants aim to broaden network coverage, particularly in rural and underserved areas, ensuring more people can enjoy reliable mobile connectivity. This initiative is expected to accelerate digital transformation by improving access to essential communication services.
MTN Group’s President and CEO, Ralph Mupita, emphasized the growing demand for digital services, stating that MTN is committed to delivering innovative solutions that support Africa’s development. He highlighted that infrastructure sharing presents an opportunity to maximize efficiency while maintaining high-quality connectivity for customers.
Airtel Africa’s CEO, Sunil Taldar, noted that while competition remains strong in the industry, sharing infrastructure within regulatory limits allows for a more robust and cost-effective network. He pointed out that avoiding unnecessary duplication of infrastructure benefits both operators and their customers.
This partnership follows a global trend where telecom providers collaborate to optimize network resources, reduce costs, and improve service delivery. By working together, MTN and Airtel Africa can expand their reach while ensuring their customers enjoy seamless mobile services.
Beyond Uganda and Nigeria, both companies are exploring similar collaborations in other African markets, including Rwanda, Zambia, and Congo-Brazzaville. Future agreements may involve radio access network (RAN) sharing, fiber infrastructure partnerships, and potential new fiber network developments.
Despite their collaboration, MTN and Airtel Africa will continue to operate as independent entities and compete within shared markets. They also remain open to forming additional partnerships with other telecom operators to further enhance connectivity across Africa.
