The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has commended the Federal Government for policy interventions that have helped stabilize the telecommunications industry, while calling for the development of a more comprehensive framework for tracking investments within the sector.
Reacting to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) Q1 2026 Capital Importation Report, ALTON acknowledged the agency’s efforts in monitoring investment flows across key sectors of the economy, emphasizing the importance of reliable data in shaping investor confidence and informing policy decisions.
According to the association, while the NBS report provides valuable insights into foreign capital inflows, it may not fully capture the breadth of investments currently being deployed within Nigeria’s telecommunications industry.
ALTON specifically praised the Federal Government’s approval of a 50 percent tariff adjustment in 2025, describing the move as a critical intervention that helped address revenue sustainability challenges and restore operational stability across the sector.
The association noted that the policy enabled telecommunications operators to move beyond a period of financial strain and embark on a more sustainable growth trajectory characterized by significant capital reinvestment and infrastructure expansion.
Highlighting the sector’s commitment to growth, ALTON disclosed that Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), tower companies, and other industry players collectively invested approximately ₦2.13 trillion in capital expenditure during 2025. The industry is also projected to invest an additional ₦1.86 trillion in 2026 to support network expansion, technology upgrades, service quality improvements, and other strategic operational initiatives.
According to ALTON, these investments remain crucial to advancing Nigeria’s digital economy agenda, expanding connectivity, and delivering improved telecommunications services to millions of subscribers nationwide.
The association, however, expressed concern over the apparent disconnect between reported foreign capital inflows and actual capital deployment within the industry. While the NBS report indicated that foreign capital importation into the telecommunications sector declined from $80.78 million in 2025 to $7.24 million in the first quarter of 2026, ALTON noted that this figure does not appear to reflect the substantial investments being made through domestic financing, retained earnings, and other alternative funding mechanisms.
ALTON argued that the disparity underscores the need for a broader and more inclusive approach to measuring sectoral investments, particularly in industries where significant capital expenditures are financed through sources beyond foreign direct investment.
To address this gap, the association proposed a collaborative engagement involving the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to establish a more robust and comprehensive investment-tracking framework for the telecommunications sector.
According to ALTON, a transparent and holistic investment reporting structure would provide a more accurate representation of the industry’s contribution to national development, strengthen investor confidence, support evidence-based policymaking, and enhance Nigeria’s attractiveness as a destination for telecommunications investment.
The association reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with government institutions, regulators, and other stakeholders to ensure that the sector’s contributions are adequately documented and recognized.
ALTON also expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for its continued support of the telecommunications industry, noting that recent policy measures have played a significant role in restoring investor confidence and promoting long-term sustainability.
Reassuring Nigerians of its commitment to service excellence, the association stated that telecommunications operators remain focused on continuous investment in network expansion, modernization, resilience, and improved service delivery.
It added that with sustained collaboration among government, regulators, and industry stakeholders, the telecommunications sector will continue to provide the digital infrastructure needed to drive economic growth, innovation, financial inclusion, and national development.
