MTN, Airtel Earn N3.6trn as Data Usage Hits Record High

Nigeria’s two largest telecom operators, MTN Nigeria and Airtel Nigeria, generated a combined N3.6 trillion from data services in 2025, reflecting a sustained surge in internet consumption across the country.

Data revenue has overtaken voice calls as the primary income stream for mobile network operators in recent years. However, the pace of growth in data earnings has significantly outstripped that of traditional voice services, according to the companies’ latest financial disclosures.

MTN Nigeria reported N2.8 trillion in data revenue for the year ended December 31, 2025, marking a 74.5 per cent increase compared to N1.6 trillion in 2024. The company also recorded a 34 per cent rise in data traffic, while average monthly usage per subscriber climbed 20 per cent to 13.1GB.

The firm attributed its performance to what it described as strong structural demand for data services in Nigeria, with more customers relying on mobile internet for communication, entertainment and business activities.

Similarly, Airtel Nigeria posted N838.6 billion in data revenue for the nine months ended December 31, 2025, representing a 67.4 per cent increase over the corresponding period in 2024. Data usage per customer rose by 26.2 per cent to 10.7GB per month, supported by a growth in smartphone penetration to 54.1 per cent.

Industry statistics released by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) show that national data consumption continued to climb throughout the year. In May, usage reached 1.04 million terabytes, the highest monthly figure recorded since the regulator began publishing such data in 2023. By December 2025, consumption had increased further to 1.38 million terabytes.

Tariff Hike and Digital Trends Fuel Expansion

The revenue surge also followed a 50 per cent tariff adjustment approved by the NCC in January 2025, which raised the average cost of 1GB of data and increased SMS charges. The price review marked the first major telecom pricing adjustment in over a decade, as operators cited inflation, foreign exchange pressures and rising energy costs.

Beyond pricing, analysts point to the rapid expansion of Nigeria’s digital economy as a key driver of higher data demand. Short-form video platforms, online gaming, livestreaming and remote work tools have significantly increased bandwidth usage, particularly among younger users.

MTN Group Projects Fourfold Earnings Jump in Nigeria and Ghana

To meet rising demand, telecom operators are ramping up infrastructure investment. MTN disclosed that it invested N1 trillion in network capacity in 2025, more than doubling its previous year’s capital expenditure. Airtel also announced ongoing fibre rollouts and network upgrades across urban and underserved areas.

With data consumption continuing to rise, industry observers expect further investment and innovation as operators compete for leadership in Nigeria’s fast-growing digital market.