In a strategic move poised to reshape Nigeria’s telecom landscape, 9mobile and MTN Nigeria have signed a nationwide roaming agreement—the first of its kind in Nigeria and across the West, Central, and East African telecom markets.
The partnership, which has received full approval from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), will allow 9mobile to leverage MTN’s extensive radio access infrastructure to provide seamless coverage across the country—signaling a potential turnaround for the struggling operator.
A Game-Changer for Network Restoration
The agreement, effective for an initial term of three years, will enable 9mobile subscribers to roam on MTN’s network in areas where 9mobile lacks infrastructure—without changing SIMs or sacrificing service quality.
Obafemi Banigbe, CEO of 9mobile, described the deal as a “strategic milestone” in the company’s recovery roadmap. Speaking at a joint press briefing in Lagos, Banigbe said:
“We are not merging. This is not a bailout. It is a commercial agreement that supports 9mobile’s philosophy—build where necessary, share where possible. We are confident that this move will restore competitive edge, enhance customer experience, and reduce our capital expenditure significantly.”
The roaming deal is expected to reignite 9mobile’s relevance, especially after losing over 22 million subscribers in recent years, shrinking its active base to just over 2 million.
Technical Rollout Imminent
According to Banigbe, technical preparations are already underway, with full national rollout expected by end of July 2025. Pilot roaming services have commenced in Lagos, with tests in progress across other key markets.
“By the end of this weekend [July 5–6], the technical groundwork will be complete, and we will begin nationwide activation based on the results,” he confirmed.
MTN’s Role and Industry Impact
Representing MTN Nigeria CEO Karl Toriola, the firm’s Chief Enterprise Business Officer, Lynda Saint-Nwafor, emphasized that the roaming partnership aligns with NCC’s goal of promoting infrastructure sharing, digital acceleration, and industry sustainability.
“This roaming deal exemplifies ‘co-opetition’—the balance between cooperation and competition,” said Saint-Nwafor. “MTN remains committed to enabling access and deepening digital inclusion while maintaining innovation and service excellence.”
She lauded the NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman, Dr. Aminu Maida, and the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, for their policy direction and support in enabling the collaboration.
Strategic Significance: Collaboration Over Competition
In an industry traditionally defined by intense rivalry, the 9mobile-MTN deal sets a transformational precedent. It demonstrates how commercial partnerships can deliver mutual value, reduce infrastructure duplication, and accelerate network expansion—especially in underserved and rural regions.
Rather than build costly parallel towers or duplicate cell sites, 9mobile’s access to MTN’s infrastructure offers capital-efficient scalability, a model increasingly embraced globally by telcos looking to optimize margins while improving user experience.
“This isn’t charity. It’s a business deal—no freeloading. Both parties are commercially accountable while maintaining their operational independence,” Banigbe stressed.
9mobile subscribers will continue to enjoy 9mobile’s billing structure and branding, with MTN providing the backend network access in agreed areas.
Telecoms Outlook: From Recovery to Growth
For 9mobile, this partnership represents a vital pivot—from survival mode to strategic recovery. With Nigeria’s population expected to surpass 400 million by 2045, and over 70% under 30, the telecom market remains a frontier of opportunity—especially for brands willing to adapt through smart collaborations.
Meanwhile, industry watchers predict that such infrastructure-sharing models could spark a wave of cooperative competition in Nigeria’s telecom space, particularly as operators race to meet 5G deployment demands, bridge rural coverage gaps, and comply with cost-efficiency mandates under NCC’s new broadband plan.
BRANDECONOMY Analysis:
The 9mobile-MTN roaming deal may be the most consequential telecom agreement since the entry of GSM in Nigeria. It signals a shift toward ecosystem thinking—where sustainability, affordability, and access converge as central pillars of digital growth. If successful, this partnership may not only rescue 9mobile but also redefine how Nigerian telcos compete and collaborate in the years ahead.
