Airtel Nigeria is spearheading a major digital infrastructure upgrade, partnering with 2Africa to launch the country’s second internet breakout point. Located in Kwa Ibo, Akwa Ibom State, this initiative leverages the 2Africa submarine cable to redirect internet traffic, marking a strategic step in Airtel’s ongoing efforts to enhance Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.

The company reaffirmed its commitment by referencing last year’s pledge to double capital expenditure, underscoring its mission to expand connectivity across the nation.

The new breakout point aims to relieve congestion at the existing cable landing in Lagos.

Airtel Nigeria CEO Dinesh Balsingh described the project as a national milestone, promising improved network stability, faster speeds, and increased capacity, especially for southern regions. Balsingh highlighted that the development provides an alternative routing path for traffic across the North and South, strengthening the resilience of Nigeria’s internet ecosystem.

Alongside this, Airtel plans a 25% expansion of its fibre footprint in major cities and states and, through its Direct-to-Cell partnership with Starlink, aims to cement its leadership in quality service delivery.

Complementing infrastructure expansion, Airtel is accelerating 4G and 5G upgrades. Nigeria’s 4G market now holds a 53% share, up from 31.75% in January 2023, with 99% of Airtel sites 4G-enabled. In 2025, 30% of sites over 5,032 locations saw capacity boosts, while the network footprint grew 15.5% over two years, adding 2,242 sites for a total of nearly 16,711 nationwide.

Chief Technology Officer Harmanpreet Singh Dhillon outlined strategies for spectrum optimization, including a 10MHz increase in Airtel’s 4G allocation, enabling higher data throughput, improved speeds, and more consistent service in high-traffic areas.

The telecom sector saw robust growth in 2025, adding 14.7 million subscribers to reach 179.64 million, up from 164.93 million the previous year.

Airtel, holding a 33.94% market share with 60.9 million subscribers, is expanding network capacity to meet rising demand. Balsingh emphasized, “In 2026, we are accelerating upgrades because Nigeria’s data appetite is growing, and leadership belongs to those who plan ahead.” Airtel has more than doubled its active 5G sites in recent months, targeting high-speed coverage in the top 20 Nigerian cities.

In parallel, African job platform MyJobMag exemplifies digital empowerment. Founder Ogugua Belonwu transformed a ₦50,000 second-hand laptop into a platform serving over a million monthly users, bridging African talent to global opportunities.

The platform leverages AI and integrated tools to increase accessibility, visibility, and equitable reward for local professionals.

Across the region, Ghana is modernizing telecom regulation. The National Communications Authority (NCA) is consulting on a proposed Electronic Communications Managed Service Licence, aimed at companies managing network infrastructure or providing technical support to licensed operators.

Historically unlicensed, these providers will soon be subject to standards and accountability measures, enhancing network resilience. Public feedback is open until March 6, 2026, reflecting a transparency-first regulatory approach and alignment with previous consultations on value-added services and Wi-Fi 6 spectrum.