Airtel doubles investment to bring faster, wider internet access to Nigerians
By Juliet Umeh
For millions of Nigerians struggling with dropped calls and patchy internet, relief may soon be on the way.
Airtel Nigeria has revealed that its newly doubled investments will focus on expanding network coverage and boosting capacity through fresh spectrum.
The company will also roll out more fibre connections and partner with satellite giants like Starlink and OneWeb to reach hard-to-serve communities.
Chief Technology Officer, Harmanpreet Dhillon, disclosed these initiatives during an appearance on NTA International’s and NTA News24’s Economy Watch programme, where he reaffirmed Airtel’s commitment to building a more resilient and inclusive digital infrastructure for Nigeria.
“Airtel’s priority is nationwide coverage, complemented by robust capacity augmentation through additional radios on 2G and 4G, alongside upgrades to 5G,” Dhillon said.
“We are equally investing in strengthening our fibre backbone and, through partnerships with Starlink and OneWeb, extending dependable connectivity to even the most remote communities across Nigeria.”
The company is also advancing a second subsea cable landing station in Port Harcourt and constructing a new cutting-edge data centre to strengthen cloud, AI, and digital solution capabilities.
Dhillon further revealed that Airtel is expanding international connectivity by delivering a second subsea cable landing station in Port Harcourt, diversifying beyond Lagos. Simultaneously, work is underway on a world-class data centre designed to support cloud computing, artificial intelligence applications, and next-generation enterprise and consumer digital solutions.
These projects, he explained, will deliver faster speeds, ultra-low latency, stronger resilience, and enhanced customer experiences for millions of Nigerians.
Airtel’s ambition extends beyond serving current urban users to bridging the digital divide in rural communities, thereby enabling access to healthcare, education, and financial services through reliable connectivity.
“With Nigeria’s digital demand growing at an unprecedented pace, Airtel is doubling down on its investments not just to build infrastructure but to empower millions of Nigerians with inclusive digital access,” Dhillon said. “This commitment keeps Nigeria’s digital economy ahead of the curve while ensuring every Nigerian is connected and enabled to thrive.”
Airtel’s expanded investment strategy also aligns with national priorities to stimulate innovation, enable fintech expansion, and support the broader development of smart cities and the digital economy.
This reinforcement from Airtel’s Chief Technology Officer underscores the company’s consistent message: every step of its investment agenda is designed to transform infrastructure into opportunity, delivering on Airtel’s purpose of empowering communities through connectivity.
