Telecommunications giants MTN Group and Airtel Africa have signed an agreement to share mobile network infrastructure in Nigeria and Uganda. The initiative aims to cut operational costs while enhancing service coverage for customers in both countries.
The companies announced the partnership on Wednesday, March 26, emphasizing that the collaboration would improve connectivity and accelerate the rollout of advanced mobile services, including 5G.
A statement from both firms highlighted the rising demand for digital and financial services across Africa. However, the cost of building and maintaining networks, particularly high-speed infrastructure, remains a significant challenge.
The agreement includes sharing radio access networks, fiber optic infrastructure, and potentially co-developing new fiber networks. Both companies also indicated a willingness to explore similar collaborations in other markets, such as Congo-Brazzaville, Rwanda, and Zambia.
MTN Group CEO Ralph Mupita noted that the deal aligns with the company’s vision of advancing digital solutions across Africa. He added that resource-sharing under existing regulations would improve efficiency and boost returns on investment.
Airtel Africa CEO Sunil Taldar echoed this sentiment, stating that infrastructure sharing would help operators extend coverage faster, particularly in rural and underserved areas where independent network expansion might not be financially viable.
The agreement does not prevent either company from forming similar partnerships with other telecom operators in different markets.
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