Telecom
Ericsson Mobility Report Reveals Nigeria as the Third Highest Mobile Subscriptions Additions in Q1 2021

Ericsson recently unveiled two reports: The 20th edition of the Ericsson Mobility report and “The Future of Urban Reality Report” that together, forecast the future of 5G in Sub-Saharan Africa and around the world in addition to forecasting the post-pandemic world.
Both reports reveal data that confirm the acceleration of mobile connectivity and digitalization in Nigeria, the country with the third highest mobile subscriptions additions in Q1 2021 globally according to the latest Ericsson Mobility Report.
Ericsson projects that 5G mobile subscriptions will exceed 580 million by the end of 2021, driven by an estimated one million new 5G mobile subscriptions every day. The forecast, which features in the latest Ericsson Mobility Report, confirm the expectation that 5G will become the fastest adopted mobile generation. 5G is expected to surpass a billion subscriptions two years ahead of the 4G LTE timeline for the same milestone.
The report features breakout statistics from Sub-Saharan African markets where around 15 percent of mobile subscriptions were for 4G at the end of 2020. The net addition of mobile subscriptions was quite low during Q1 2021, at 59 million.
This is likely due to the pandemic and associated lockdown restrictions. India had the most net additions (+26 million), followed by China (+6 million) and Nigeria (+3 million).
Mobile broadband subscriptions in Sub-Saharan Africa are predicted to increase, reaching 76 percent of mobile subscriptions by 2026. However, 5G volumes are not expected to grow in the region for 2021 but are likely to reach around 70 million 5G subscriptions in 2026.
Separately, the Global Telecom Market Report (GTM) also known as “The Future of Urban Reality Report” was also recently launched by the Ericsson ConsumerLab, to assess the penetration of 5G and the tremendous potential it holds to markets around the world.
The latest Ericsson ConsumerLab report is Ericsson’s largest consumer study to date, revealing key insights about what Nigerian consumers believe will happen beyond the pandemic, into the year 2025, through surveying a sample of 1,000 to 2,000 respondents between the ages of 15–79.
The report found that, when entering the “next normal”, consumers in Africa will have added an average of 3.4 online services to their daily online activities, while also increasing the time they spend online by 10 hours per week by 2025, in comparison to their pre-pandemic habits.
This move is also expected to bridge the gap between moderate and advanced online users, with the more moderate online users having introduced more online services in their daily life over the course of the pandemic.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the implementation of online education at schools and universities as well as remote working in Nigeria has increased to 72 percent and 62 percent respectively. Going forward online education and remote working are collectively expected to remain at a level of 29 percent.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the amount of online shopping in Nigeria stood at 35 percent out of the total number of all shopping events, both online and at physical stores.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, this figure increased to 51 percent. Nigerian consumers anticipate their habits around online shopping will remain at a level of 44 percent after the COVID-19 pandemic has passed.
Sean Cryan, Country Manager of Ericsson Nigeria says: “Positioned as the third highest mobile subscriptions additions in Q1 2021 globally, Nigeria is growing tremendously setting #AfricaInMotion. The growth can be attributed to the young, growing population, the increasing digital skills, and the more affordable smartphones. Correspondingly, this growth is reflected in the online habits of the country where the dependency on online activities for daily tasks is expected to remain high in the future.”
Ericsson has found that despite the uncertainty caused by COVID-19, service providers continue to switch on 5G, and more than 160 service providers have launched commercial 5G services.
Telecom
MTN Nigeria to Lease Spectrum from T2 Mobile, Ends Agreement with Ntel

MTN Nigeria Communications Plc has secured regulatory approval from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to lease frequency spectrum from T2 Mobile Limited (formerly 9Mobile), marking a strategic shift in its network expansion plans.
Effective October 1, 2025, MTN will lease 5MHz in the 900MHz band and 15MHz in the 1800MHz band from T2 Mobile for a period of three years.
This move supports MTN’s national roaming agreement with T2, enabling shared infrastructure to manage growing network traffic and improve service delivery
According to MTN Nigeria CEO Karl Toriola, the agreement aligns with the company’s Ambition 2025 strategy, which emphasizes cost-effective, sustainable growth, industry collaboration, and digital inclusion.
In a related development, MTN Nigeria has announced it will not renew its current spectrum lease with Natcom Development and Investment Ltd (Ntel). That lease—covering 5MHz in the 900MHz band and 10MHz in the 1800MHz band across 17 states—is set to expire on November 29, 2025.
MTN reaffirmed its commitment to investing in infrastructure and strategic partnerships to deliver high-quality, innovative telecom services across Nigeria.
Telecom
MTN Foundation Opens Applications for Phase 2 of SAIL Teachers’ Fellowship to Train 5,000 Nigerian Educators in Digital Skills

MTN Foundation, in partnership with SAIL Innovation Lab and Co-Creation Hub (CcHub), has announced the commencement of the second phase of the MTN SAIL Teachers Fellowship Programme with a call for applications.
The initiative aims to equip 5,000 public school teachers across Nigeria with cutting-edge digital skills, innovative teaching methods, and leadership capacity to transform the learning experience in public schools.
The call for applications, open until 19th October 2025 is part of the MTN Foundation’s continued commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s education sector and empowering educators with the tools they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.
In addition, participants will gain access to the MTN Skills Academy, an online learning platform offering free, self-paced courses on coding, data analytics, digital marketing and other in-demand skills.
This ensures teachers can continue their professional development long after the training period, equipping them with the tools to prepare students for the opportunities of the digital economy.
Speaking on the launch of Phase 2, Odunayo Sanya, Executive Director, MTN Foundation, said: “Teachers are the backbone of our education system. By empowering them with digital competencies and innovative teaching methods, we are directly investing in the future of our youths.
This Fellowship Programme is designed to ensure that our educators are not just keeping pace with global best practices but are actively shaping the next generation of innovators and leaders.”
Participants in the programme will undergo intensive training on topics such as technology integration in the classroom, modern pedagogical techniques, digital tools, and personal leadership.
The training will be delivered by experienced facilitators and education experts to ensure a blend of practical knowledge and peer-driven learning.
The MTN SAIL Teachers Fellowship Programme, initiated in 2024, is a part of the Foundation’s broader mission to catalyse sustainable development initiatives that make measurable impact in the areas of education, health, and economic empowerment.
Since its inception, MTN Foundation has reached millions of Nigerians through various programmes, reaffirming its role as a catalyst for positive change.
Interested teachers can learn more and apply via https://bit.ly/STFP2025 as applications are expected to close on October 19, 2025.
Telecom
Konga’s Category Month Campaign Drives Sales and Social Impact in Nigeria

Konga, Nigeria’s leading composite e-commerce group, has continued to record remarkable feedback from shoppers as its ongoing Category Month Campaign builds momentum. Since its kick-off in early September, the initiative has spotlighted key product categories each week, delivering unbeatable deals and heightened excitement across Nigeria’s digital retail space.
The campaign debuted with Home and Kitchen products in the first week of launch, offering households the chance to upgrade essentials at discounted prices.
This was followed by Electronics Week, which drew an overwhelming response from tech-savvy shoppers eager to secure top-quality gadgets at market-leading prices.
This week, attention has shifted to Beauty, Health and Personal Care, as well as Fashion, promising even more compelling offers for style enthusiasts and wellness-focused consumers.
According to industry observers, shoppers have embraced the campaign for clear reasons: convenience, affordability, and trust. By focusing on one category per week, Konga ensures a curated shopping experience where customers enjoy depth, variety, and verified quality across product lines. Strategic partnerships with global brands further guarantee authenticity, while Konga’s reliable logistics network continues to deliver purchases swiftly and securely.
In addition, Konga’s Category Month is strategically driving value for both buyers and sellers. For shoppers, it translates into savings and access to exclusive bundles. For merchants, it unlocks visibility to wider audiences and boosts sales volumes in a competitive marketplace.
Beyond the campaign, Konga has also reinforced its reputation as a socially responsible brand through the Computerise Nigeria Initiative, launched recently in partnership with Zinox and KongaCares.
The initiative aims to put one million laptops into the hands of young Nigerian students, bridging the digital divide and equipping the next generation for a knowledge-driven economy.
Konga is calling on well-meaning Nigerians, NGOs, religious institutions, and corporate bodies to support this noble effort, which has the potential to transform education and empower millions of youths across the country.
With Category Month and social impact initiatives like Computerise Nigeria, Konga is not only redefining retail in Nigeria but also cementing its role as a catalyst for digital inclusion and economic growth.
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