Telecom
ATCON Seeks NCC’s collaboration on BTIF
The Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria, ATCON, has proposed collaboration with the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, to organize Broadband and Technology Investment Forum, BTIF, in all State of the federation.
The primary and strategic objective of the proposed forum would complement the Commission’s concerted efforts in respect of making broadband pervasive and ubiquitous as well as it would further encourage State Governments and private sector to aid the growth and development through deliberate and strategic investment in technology and broadband in their respective states.
ATCON President, Mr. Olusola Teniola, made the statements while leading a delegation of the National Executive Council, NEC, on a scheduled visit to the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Professor Umar Danbatta.
According to Teniola, the new NEC is poised to working with Prof. Danbatta and the Commissioners in order to make their tenure in the commission the one that would never be forgotten in the history of the Nigerian telecom sector.
“This strategic courtesy visit is put together to demonstrate the respect that we have for you and your office as records are there to show that the development of the sector is highly paramount in your strategic plan for 2018”.
Teniola said that by ATCON’s findings, the few years Prof. Danbatta has spent as the EVC of NCC has shown that his performance is highly rated and the new NEC is prepared to contribute towards sustaining the high performance in the office of the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC.
“The new NEC based on the general perspectives in the industry we are confident that you are going to leave an indelible mark of greater achievements and the entire Nigerian telecom industry would be a better one for the decisions you have made on their behalf”, he said.
Revamping Broadband penetration initiative in Nigeria
The team also tabled ATCON’s concerns, especially in ensuring broadband penetration in Nigeria is high.
“The strategy that ATCON has earmarked to leapfrog our current broadband rating globally is what we call ATCON Broadband and Technology Investment Forum in all states of the federation.
“The plan is to work majorly with the Nigerian Communications Commission and all State Governors and Commissioners for ICT in Nigeria to organise this forum in all our states. In 2018, we plan to stage this forum in three states: Kano, Akwa-Ibom and Osun.
“The strategic objective of this initiative is to promote greater awareness about the state’s technology and broadband investments potentials; identify viable technology investment projects for both the private and public sectors; increase government and private investments and spending in Broadband Infrastructure.
“It has been established that for any state in Nigeria to seriously improve the effectiveness and efficiency of its economic activities and the general welfare of its population, such states must invest more meaningfully in broadband infrastructure.
“As we all know that 10% broadband penetration can translate to 1.38% in our nation’s GDP, this forum will make concrete attempts to measure the state of broadband infrastructure in the state and what could be done to encourage as well as increase its capacity utilization”.
Welcoming the visitors Prof. Danbatta, first, congratulated both Mr. Olusola Teniola, President, ATCON and other newly elected NEC members and said it was a well-deserved mandate given to him and the new exco by the entire members of Association.
He urged Teniola to use this particular tenure to further strengthen the Association which has existence for 25 years.
Getting down to the issues: Right of Way, the EVC said it appears there is a solution in sight as Professor, Yemi Osinbajo , Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria had a meeting with Nigeria Governors Forum where he pitched to them in respect of Right of Way.
According to him, the Governors appeared to buy into the initiative of laying fibre which would cover upto 18000 km in Nigeria.
He added that the initiative would be solely driven by the Vice President and with this initiative, solutions shall be proffered to the challenges caused by right of ways and the 30% broadband penetration target set would be met and surpassed.
He also spoke on some benefits that come with high broadband penetration and emphasized the need for quality critical infrastructure.
“The Digital Transformation would change our country socially, economically and it would further lead to youth empowerment, foster e-learning, and open our society more”, he said.
Still on broadband:
Prof. Umar Danbatta commended ATCON for its advocacy in respect of Cybercrime levy of 0.005 and said the sector has contributed N1.43trillion to the country’s GDP and we need to talk more about the performance of our industry.
He said the contribution of N1.43 trillion was achieved because of the progressive regulatory put in place by the Nigerian Communication Commission which has also attracted further investment into the sector.
Prof. Umar Danbatta said ATCON‘s proposal on Broadband and Technology Investment Forum is apt and it aligns with the initiative being pursued by the presidency.
“This Presidency initiative is put in place to accelerate investment in the industry and ATCON would be carried along to realize the goals and objectives of the presidency initiative.
“It has been found that broadband is nonexistence in many states in Nigeria because of commercial reasons. The initiative being pursued by the presidency would ensure that some form of telecommunications services would be provided for the rural dwellers as well as ensure critical mass of ICT adoption among the underserved and unserved”.
MTN Nigeria is accelerating investments in network expansion and modernization to address rising demand for mobile and data services across the country.
The operator is deploying additional base stations, upgrading existing infrastructure, and expanding fiber connectivity to improve network capacity, coverage, and service quality.
The investments are designed to support increasing smartphone adoption, higher data consumption, and the growing use of digital services by consumers and businesses.
MTN said the expansion aligns with its long-term strategy to enhance customer experience while strengthening Nigeria’s digital infrastructure.
The company expects the ongoing upgrades to improve connectivity, support economic growth, and enable broader access to reliable telecommunications services as demand for high-speed broadband continues to increase.
Airtel Africa’s CEO, Sunil Taldar, has announced the telco’s commitment to connecting 5,000 schools across its operating countries in Africa to the internet by 2027 through its philanthropic arm, Airtel Africa Foundation, in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
So far, the $57m partnership, which was launched in 2021, has cumulatively connected 3,296 schools and provided access to over 2 million learners and about 40,000 teachers. 64 digital learning platforms have been zero-rated thereby enabling more than 11m users to access educational content at no cost.
Speaking during a visit to St. Monica’s Girls School in Lusaka, which is one of the 300 schools already connected to the internet in Zambia, the Airtel Africa CEO stated that the initiative is having a profound impact on the quality of education by expanding access to digital learning resources for African children, in collaboration with governments.
Mr Taldar added: “Students are accessing best-in-class education from the curriculum developed by UNICEF in partnership with various Ministries of Education and provided through Airtel’s connectivity.
“We are also training teachers, so that they deliver digital education effectively. We aim to continue deepening meaningful connectivity in schools by providing free internet access, zero‑rated platforms and training teachers across the continent”.
Expressing her appreciation, the Headmistress of St. Monica’s Girls’ School, Sr Matilda Soloko said: “Being among the first schools connected in the initial stage, our learners have been able to study using the learning portal and their studies have been intensified. We remain grateful to Airtel and UNICEF.”
UNICEF’s Country Representative for Zambia, Dr Saja Farooq Abdullah said: “What this partnership has brought is really bridging the equality gap and the digital divide. It is making sure that every child learns wherever they are. It was exciting and interesting to see and hear from the girls how they can learn at their own pace, how they can review the materials, and how they do their homework with comfort.
The Director of Secondary Education in Zambia’s Ministry of Education, Yvonne Mwemba Chuulu lauded UNICEF and Airtel for the partnership saying: “At the Ministry of Education, we cannot do it alone, and we are grateful for the partnership that we have today.
“Our children are able to learn in a blended fashion, where we have a teacher who is also employing digital devices. We have also heard from the learners that they are able to access the portal when they are at home, which is a good thing because our learners continue to learn in the comfort of their homes”.
The School Connection programme is expanding digital learning to learners in 13 countries: Chad, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. By equipping these schools with internet connectivity and training teachers on using the digital tools, it is providing children, particularly in underserved and remote regions, with the digital tools and skills they need to thrive.
Airtel Africa Foundation is advancing inclusive development across four strategic pillars, Financial Inclusion, Education, Environmental Sustainability and Digital Inclusion.
MultiChoice has officially become a wholly owned subsidiary of French media company Canal+, marking the completion of one of the largest acquisitions in Africa’s media and entertainment industry.
The integration brings the South Africa-based pay television operator under the full ownership of Canal+, a global media group with operations in 70 countries.
Announcing the completion of the transaction on Thursday, Chief Executive Officer of Canal+ Africa and MultiChoice, David Mignot, described the development as the beginning of a new phase of growth for the broadcaster.
“MultiChoice is now a full subsidiary of a truly international media group operating in 70 countries.
“The group was founded in France, is listed in London and Johannesburg, and has a strong African presence with operations in more than 45 countries,” Mignot said.
The acquisition combines Canal+’s international operations with MultiChoice’s extensive footprint across sub-Saharan Africa, where it serves millions of households through its DStv and GOtv platforms, as well as the Showmax streaming service.
According to Canal+, the integration will strengthen MultiChoice’s competitive position by giving it access to broader financial resources, technology, content partnerships and operational expertise.
The company said the combined business would increase investment in local content production, sports broadcasting and streaming services as competition intensifies from global platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+.
The transaction is also expected to provide MultiChoice with greater access to international markets at a time when traditional pay television operators are adapting to changing consumer viewing habits and the rapid growth of digital streaming platforms.
Canal+ has expanded steadily across Africa over the past decade and now assumes full control of a business operating in more than 45 African countries, further strengthening its position in the continent’s media and entertainment sector.
The acquisition followed Canal+’s gradual increase in its shareholding in MultiChoice, which began in 2024.
After exceeding the regulatory threshold, the company launched a mandatory offer in April 2024 to acquire the remaining shares of the Johannesburg-listed broadcaster.
Following regulatory approvals and shareholder acceptance, Canal+ secured control of MultiChoice in 2025 before completing the process that has now made the company a wholly owned subsidiary.
Industry observers describe the acquisition as one of the most significant media transactions involving an African company, reflecting a broader trend of consolidation as global entertainment firms seek greater scale to compete in the streaming era.
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