Airtel Nigeria deploys 1000 new 5G sites

Airtel Nigeria has deployed over 1,000 new 5G sites in 2026 as part of its effort to improve network quality for subscribers. According to Airtel Nigeria Chief Executive Officer Dinesh Balsingh, these infrastructure investments aim to increase connectivity and support for customers.

The development comes at a time when Nigerians are demanding stronger networks amid surging internet penetration and increased smartphone use. Airtel Nigeria wants to complement its Open Network platform with the additional 5G sites to meet high-speed internet demand.

Infrastructure Investment

Dinesh Balsingh said the operator has surpassed 17,000 sites nationwide, with over 1,050 new sites added in the last financial year. This year, Airtel has added more than 1,000 5G sites to towns, expanding access to high-speed connectivity across the country.

The investment drive complements the parent company, Airtel Africa, which spent ₦884.8 billion on CAPEX and added 4,200 sites during the half-year to September 2026. Balsingh noted that the operator added more facilities to improve customer relationships and help understand the challenges faced by the population they serve.

Customer Engagement

Airtel Nigeria launched the Open Network platform to allow subscribers to view network coverage, check mobile tower locations, and report signal issues directly. The initiative results from a recent increase in consumer complaints about poor network or disruption in making calls and having the desired internet speed.

Balsingh stated that the operator acknowledges network challenges and takes those concerns seriously. The ambition remains to provide best-in-class quality of service, which must be earned through consistent performance.

For its half-year ended September 2026, Airtel Nigeria’s revenue grew by 45% to ₦1.37 trillion, surpassing the ₦941.2 billion generated in the same period last year. Data revenue expanded by 52.7% to ₦732.6 billion, while voice revenue grew 37.8% to ₦498.24 billion.

The total customer base increased by 15.1% to 61.7 million from 53.6 million in the previous period, while internet subscribers have now reached 32.9 million from 29.5 million.