Telecom
MTN Nigeria Launches First Demo 5G Network Service in West Africa
MTN Nigeria on Monday carried out the first live demo of 5G network service, with this, Nigeria has become the first country in West Africa to perform trial of 5G technology and applications.
The result of a strong collaboration between the Ministry of Communications Technology and Digital Economy, the Nigerian Communications Commission, MTN and Huawei (Abuja), ZTE (Calabar) and Ericsson (Lagos.)
This immersive demo and experience will travel across three Nigerian cities to showcase the capabilities of 5G and its potential to enable economic growth, and social inclusion.
By working together, MTN and its partner – Huawei, were able to provide a glimpse into a range of 5G use cases and applications at a test Lab designed to show proof-of-concept in Abuja.
Standing alongside former Super Eagles captain, legendary Joseph Yobo, attendees got to match their skills against an artificial-intelligence powered goalie; immerse themselves in a high-speed, low-latency virtual reality gaming world; experience ultra-high speed streaming and downloads on 5G devices; and engage in discourse with life-like holographic projections.
3D holographic communication has potential applications for education, medical imaging, video conferencing and gaming, and requires about four times as much data as a streamed 4K video.
That means that 5G is best suited to support this kind of application on a mobile network and to enable its use.
It also demonstrates how 5G has the potential to support key socio-economic objectives Nigeria has set for itself, and to be a key contributor to the emergence of a fully digital economy.
MTN was honoured to host the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami; the Chairman of Nigerian Communications Commission, Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye, and the Chairman, the Executive Vice-Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Garba Danbatta; House of Representatives, Committee on Communications, Honourable Akeem Adeyemi at the launch event, without whom the demo would not have been possible.
Speaking shortly after taking a tour of the exhibition booths, Dr. Pantami underlined the potential of 5G for sustainable growth.
“I believe as long as we are able to handle the potential challenges, the deployment of 5G is very critical to our economy, because of so many advantages of 5G, the issue of latency, speed and many more.”
Stressing the importance of an enabling regulatory framework and protecting telecommunications infrastructure, Dr. Pantami stated that on the instruction of the President, he has signed a draft Executive Order declaring telecommunications infrastructure ‘critical national infrastructure’ which has been forwarded to the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation for review.
The Minister referred to the proposed Executive Order as a short-term measure, stressing that the President has instructed that a proper legislation be facilitated to deal conclusively with threats to telecommunications infrastructure.
Highlighting the importance of partnerships, Ferdi Moolman, the Chief Executive Officer, MTN Nigeria said “Pushing boundaries is easier when your aspirations are supported by likeminded people.
“We are here today because of the support and guidance of the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy and the Nigerian Communications Commission who provided the trial spectrum used for this.”
“Also key to this achievement are our equipment vendors who shared our vision, and whose capabilities were brought to bear in making the 5G trials across the country a reality.
“We are grateful for these partners, our customers and everyone who made it possible. Today’s success underlines the fact that we are good together.”
Mazen Mroue, Chief Operating Officer, MTN Nigeria stated that “In collaboration with our technical partners and the support of the Federal Government, we are proudly putting Nigeria on the 5G technology map.
“As we continue to invest in technology solutions to meet the wide needs of our customers, MTN will continue to strengthen these partnerships as we move to build our 5G capacity in future, guided by the standards and spectrum set by the Nigerian Communications Commission.”
In addition to the bandwidth increase for seamless video streaming or the next social application playground, 5G technology supports real-time, ultra-reliable communication between massive numbers of devices.
It creates vast possibilities in innovation and transformation, and will immensely improve quality of living, as users gain a better experience of services and technology in general – from financial services, healthcare, education, and even public service delivery to more leisurely purposes, such as video streaming services, gaming and even self-driving cars.
“5G offers tremendous benefits in terms of speed, latency (less delays), efficiency and security.
“This pilot offers a unique opportunity for us to explore use-cases and applications in Nigeria, and we are excited about its potential for our country and our company” noted Mohammed Rufai, Chief Technical officer, MTN Nigeria.
Following the successful demonstration in Abuja, the 5G-demo train moves to Calabar and Lagos.
In addition to which 5G trials will be run in four other cities across the country.
The 5G trial will run for three months utilizing trial spectrum allocated to MTN by the NCC.
Legend Internet Plc has reported a loss for the six months ended January 31, 2026, as rising operating costs and finance charges weighed on earnings, according to its latest management financial statements filed on the NGX platform.
The company posted revenue of N505.36 million for the period, down from N622.64 million recorded in the corresponding period of 2025, reflecting a contraction in topline performance.
Despite generating a gross profit of N322.99 million, Legend Internet’s profitability was eroded by elevated administrative expenses, which surged significantly to N457.62 million from N166.78 million in the prior year.
This drove the company to an operating loss of N134.63 million, compared to an operating profit of N244.55 million a year earlier.
Finance costs further pressured the bottom line, rising to N64.71 million, while interest income provided only a limited offset.
Consequently, the company recorded a loss after tax of N99.34 million, a sharp reversal from the N239.85 million profit posted in the same period of 2025.
Earnings per share also declined into negative territory, closing at a loss of 11 kobo compared with earnings of 12 kobo in the prior period.
A review of the company’s financial position showed total assets increased to N3.45 billion as of January 2026, up from N3.21 billion in July 2025, driven largely by growth in cash and cash equivalents and receivables.
However, shareholders’ funds weakened to N2.55 billion from N2.80 billion, reflecting the impact of the reported loss and dividend payments.
Cash flow analysis indicates that net cash used in operating activities stood at N237.48 million, highlighting liquidity pressure in the core business.
This was partially offset by financing inflows, including loans, which helped lift cash balances during the period.
Further breakdown showed personnel costs rose markedly to N153.50 million, underscoring increased staff-related expenses, while depreciation and amortisation charges remained significant due to ongoing investments in network infrastructure.
The results underlined the pressure on smaller telecom and internet service providers navigating high operating costs, currency volatility, and infrastructure demands within Nigeria’s competitive digital services market.
Airtel Africa has emerged as the standout large-cap performer on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), recording a 10 per cent gain in a single trading week and reinforcing its position as one of Africa’s most resilient and valuable telecommunications companies.
The telecoms giant closed the week at ₦3,655.70 per share, up from ₦3,323.40, making it one of the strongest contributors to market performance during a period characterised by selective investor activity and sector rotation.
The strong performance reflects growing investor confidence in Airtel Africa’s business fundamentals, diversified revenue streams, and long-term growth strategy. Analysts note that the company continues to attract attention from investors seeking stable, high-quality stocks capable of delivering sustainable value despite ongoing macroeconomic uncertainties.
Unlike many of the week’s gainers, whose performance was largely driven by speculative trading and short-term market positioning, Airtel Africa’s rise was underpinned by confidence in its operational strength and strategic importance within the telecommunications sector.
Market watchers have identified Airtel Africa as a preferred investment destination due to its strong earnings profile, extensive regional footprint, and exposure to foreign currency-linked revenue streams. These factors have helped position the company as a key stabiliser within the NGX, particularly at a time when investors are increasingly selective in deploying capital.
The company’s performance also highlights the growing importance of telecommunications firms in driving economic growth and digital transformation across Africa. Through continued investments in network expansion, digital services, enterprise solutions, and financial inclusion initiatives, Airtel Africa remains at the forefront of enabling connectivity and economic opportunity for millions of people across the continent.
Beyond its stock market performance, Airtel Africa continues to strengthen its position through investments in digital infrastructure, mobile financial services, and technology-driven solutions that support businesses, governments, and communities. These initiatives have become increasingly important as demand for connectivity and digital services continues to accelerate across Africa.
Airtel Africa’s latest performance underscores confidence in the company’s long-term prospects and its ability to create sustainable value for shareholders. The milestone also reflects the market’s recognition of Airtel Africa’s role in shaping Africa’s digital future through innovation, connectivity, and inclusive growth.
With telecommunications remaining a critical enabler of economic development, Airtel Africa’s strong showing on the NGX serves as another indicator of the company’s continued momentum and leadership within the sector.
AVEVA, a global leader in industrial software, will host the first edition of AVEVA Day Nigeria, on 11 June 2026 at the EKO Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
AVEVA
Built around the theme, “Driving the Transformation: Leveraging Digital Technologies and AI to Achieve Operational Excellence, Increase Efficiency and Reduce Emissions,” the one-day event will bring together industry leaders to discuss how AI, Digital Twin, and cloud-native industrial platforms are transforming the design, construction, and operation of assets.
The event will host AVEVA leadership, technical experts, customers, ecosystem partners, EPCs, and decision-makers from across Nigeria’s energy and process industries.
Nigeria’s industrial sector is entering a new phase with operators under pressure to improve operational reliability, cut emissions, and unlock gas monetisation opportunities cost-effectively. Digital technologies have emerged as a key enabler of this balancing act.
The International Energy Agency’s Africa Energy Outlook highlights the growing role of AI and digital tools in balancing Africa’s energy ambitions with its sustainability goals. At the same time, initiatives such as the African Union’s Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa (2020–2030) and Nigeria’s National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy are helping create the foundation for wider adoption.
Khaled Salah, Vice President – Africa, AVEVA, said: “Nigeria’s industrial economy is one of the most dynamic industrial markets in the EMEA region. As industries navigate growing demands around efficiency, sustainability, and resilience, technologies such as digital twin, industrial AI, and connected ecosystems are becoming central to transformation strategies. Through AVEVA Day Nigeria, we want to bring our global expertise closer to local industry leaders and demonstrate how the convergence of AI and industrial software can help local enterprises compete, and lead, on the world stage.”
Hanno Van Niekerk, Market Leader – Sub Saharan Africa, AVEVA said: “Nigeria has the scale, resources, and industrial ambition to become one of the leading energy and industrial hubs in the region. With continued investments in power infrastructure, and industrial development, the country is well positioned to drive long-term economic growth and strengthen energy access across Africa. At AVEVA, we are proud to support this journey by helping organisations leverage digital innovation to enhance operational performance, accelerate transformation, and advance sustainability goals.”
The event will begin with a welcome note from Khaled Salah, followed by a keynote from Gaurav Panpaliya, Enterprise Architect, AVEVA, on how AI-enabled Digital Twins are guiding industries towards autonomous, sustainable operations, supported by examples from global energy companies.
It will also feature interactive round table discussions hosted by Gururaj Purohit, structured around three focus tracks – Design & Build track, that will engage EPCs, capital project teams, and engineering companies, the Operate & Optimise track covering enterprise visualisation, process optimisation, asset reliability, AI/ML-based predictive analytics, and Predictive Asset Optimisation (PAO) and the IT/OT and Data Management track, focusing on the CONNECT industrial intelligence platform and how it underpins next-generation industrial operations.
Attendees will get a chance to explore the full scope of AVEVA’s industrial intelligence capabilities through a series of focused technical and industry sessions along with dedicated customer and partner presentation slots throughout the day.
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