Telecom operators have ordered over $1bn in network infrastructure from original equipment manufacturers in China to overhaul and upgrade the quality of service, the Nigerian Communications Commission said on Tuesday.
While the telecom equipment has yet to arrive, be cleared, or be deployed in-country, the move signals a return to capital investment in the sector after a prolonged period of financial strain.
The telcos, who serve more than 160 million subscribers nationwide, are increasing their investment to meet the demands of consumers, the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Aminu Maida, told industry leaders in Lagos, who converged to update the Nigerian Communications Act 2023 to align with current technological trends.
“Our operators have committed to investing over a billion dollars in telecom infrastructure this year. This is more than double the investment from last year. But this equipment needs to be manufactured. We went to China, and the original manufacturers have confirmed the orders,” the EVC said.
