Technology
Navigating the Path to Sustainable Telecom Services for Subscribers
By Dinesh Balsingh
As Nigeria continues its journey towards becoming a digitally driven economy, reliable telecommunications services remain the backbone of our collective progress. At Airtel Nigeria, we are committed to delivering world-class connectivity to millions of Nigerians, enabling economic growth, empowering businesses, and enhancing lives.
We understand that the future technology needs of the country, as ushered in by the highspeed 5G era of AI, Cloud computing, Data science applications, and Blockchain, should be directing significant investments towards building a resilient network. However, the industry faces significant challenges that require a closer look as we strive to maintain the high standards that our customers deserve.
Increased Intensity of Investments: The increasing demand for digital services across sectors such as education, media, banking, transportation, and manufacturing has come with an increased demand for telecom capacity.
Upgrading networks to deliver more data capacity is key to a sustainable future. To help ensure that the Nigerian economy keeps pace with the global improvements in technology and communications while supporting the aspirations of consumers, we also take on the responsibility of executing new technology and system upgrades as well as improved security. Data security is now more than ever a priority as more and more people upload personal information online.
All of these require significant investments which are sourced from the international markets at costs denominated in US Dollars. In the past three to four years, for instance, the dollar has gone from exchanging for about N500 to over N1,600. This more than three-fold increase in foreign exchange conversion exponentially increases the cost of investments required to run a good quality network.
In addition to this unprecedented hike in capital expenditure, the operating costs have surged dramatically, with operating expenses rising by over 300% in the last 18 to 24 months alone.
While several critical areas of the business are impacted, I would, for expediency, focus on three of those areas: Rising Energy Costs, Infrastructure Challenges, and a Commitment to Quality Service.
Rising Energy Costs: Powering telecommunication infrastructure requires significant energy resources. Energy is the single largest operating cost for running a network. With increasing global energy prices and while efforts are ongoing to fully stabilize the power supply in Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria and other operators in the sector are incurring soaring costs to keep networks running seamlessly.
Infrastructure Challenges: The industry continues to grapple with rampant fibre cuts and vandalization of critical infrastructure. These incidents not only disrupt services but also demand substantial investments to repair and maintain facilities.
Commitment to Quality Service: Despite these challenges, Airtel Nigeria has remained steadfast in ensuring quality of service. From expanding 4G and 5G networks to meeting growing demand in urban and rural areas, we have painstakingly absorbed the rising costs of these obligations to avoid compromising the customer experience and ensuring Nigerians, regardless of their location, have access to mobile communication and remain connected to the digital economy.
Telecommunications operators have worked tirelessly to sustain services despite keeping tariffs unchanged for the last 10 years. While tariffs have remained static for over a decade, the economic realities necessitate a review to ensure the sustainability of services hence our recent application to the government for tariff adjustment which if approved will be a step towards addressing this imbalance. It is not a decision taken lightly but one borne out of the need to guarantee continued investment in network expansion, technology upgrades, and improved service delivery.
The telecommunications sector is pivotal to Nigeria’s ambition to become a digital economy leader in Africa. Meeting this aspiration requires operators to make substantial investments in network infrastructure, spectrum acquisition, and innovative solutions. These investments come at a cost, one that must be shared proportionally to ensure long-term viability.
At Airtel Nigeria, we remain resolute in our commitment to:
Delivering Quality Services: The government continues to monitor operators’ compliance with service quality standards. Airtel is dedicated to surpassing these benchmarks, ensuring customers experience uninterrupted and superior connectivity.
Driving Economic Growth: By expanding our network and enhancing digital inclusivity, we are enabling the government’s economic turnaround agenda and fostering opportunities for all Nigerians.
Being a Reliable Partner: Despite industry challenges, we are steadfast in our role as a trusted partner in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey.
While significant tariff adjustments have become warranted for the sustainability of the industry, Airtel has always been sensitive to affordability and understands that the price adjustments must be done gradually to support our customers’ financial positions. We believe that approval of revised tariffs will empower operators to invest in capacity, expand coverage to underserved areas, aim for advanced security on the networks, and improve service quality and network availability while ensuring that Nigeria remains competitive in the global digital landscape.
As we navigate the present imperatives together, we urge all stakeholders, including customers, regulators, and partners to recognize the importance of building a resilient telecommunications ecosystem. Airtel Nigeria remains committed to delivering unmatched value while supporting the nation’s economic development.
Dinesh Balsingh is the Managing Director/CEO of Airtel Nigeria
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
As part of broader Africa-focused Artificial Intelligence (AI) initiatives, Google has launched the AI Skilling Blueprint for Africa, designed to help governments build a future-proof workforce.
The programme provides governments with a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to formulate national skilling strategies. It focuses on developing three critical cohorts: AI Learners, who will gain foundational AI literacy; AI Implementers, professionals upskilled to integrate AI tools into their work; and AI Innovators, deep technical experts dedicated to building the next generation of AI solutions.
Africa is home to the world’s youngest and fastest-growing population. The continent shows immense potential for AI-driven economic growth.
However, new research highlights a significant challenge: while optimism for AI is exceptionally high, reaching 95 per cent in Nigeria and 76 per cent in South Africa, 55 per cent of firms across the continent report needing AI talent more than financing. Closing this skills gap is key to unlocking Africa’s opportunity.
Google’s Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Policy, Doron Avni, explained that, “The AI Skilling Blueprint provides a clear roadmap for governments to build the workforce of the future.
“By also investing in AI-ready data and expert local organisations and partners, we are helping build the interconnected ecosystem needed for a prosperous, AI-driven future for the continent.”
As part of its broader initiatives, Google also announced $2.25 million to support projects building trustworthy public data sets for AI by the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) and PARIS21.
This contribution will help national statistical offices modernize their infrastructure and empower decision-makers with the reliable data they need to address challenges from food security to economic growth.
“For Africa to drive sustainable development, evidence-based policymaking is indispensable. This requires accessible, reliable, and AI-ready data.
“This effort is a crucial step forward. By building a Regional Data Commons, we can empower African institutions with the data and tools they need to make strategic choices that will drive growth and prosperity,” the Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Africa, Claver Gatete, said.
Finally, building on its $7.5 million Google.org Skilling Fund commitment, Google announced the first set of expert social impact organizations who will receive funding to execute on projects consistent with its skilling mission, including FATE Foundation and the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), which will embed advanced AI curricula into universities; and JA Africa and CyberSafe Foundation, which will advance crucial work in online safety and digital literacy.
“We are incredibly proud to partner with the African Institute of Management Sciences on the Advanced AI UpSkilling Project, with support from Google.org. This groundbreaking initiative is a direct response to the urgent need for deep AI competencies in Africa, empowering tertiary institutions, lecturers, and students in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa.
“This strategic support aligns perfectly with FATE Foundation’s mission to foster innovation and sustainable economic growth across the continent, ensuring Africa is fully equipped to lead in the global technological future,” the Executive Director for FATE Foundation, Adenike Adeyemi, stated.
“We live in an age defined by rapid technological change and our mission at JA Africa is to ensure that African youth are not left behind. However, even as we engage our youth in more digital programs and encourage AI literacy, we are fully aware of the harmful effects of unchecked online exposure and, therefore, invest equally in protecting their data, physical safety and mental wellbeing.
“Through this support from Google.org, we will give young people the tools, knowledge, and confidence they need to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly,” the chief executive of Junior Achievement Africa, Simi Nwogugu, remarked.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Global technology firm, Zoho, has enhanced its all-in-one business software platform known as Zoho One with improve security, and deeper intelligence across all over 50 applications.
The company improved the user interface, placing context at the centre of the user journey and removes traditional boundaries between applications.
Spaces now organise tools by purpose—such as Personal, Organisation, and Department-specific groups—enabling employees to access what they need without switching between apps. A centralised search bar spans the entire ecosystem, allowing users to find information or trigger workflows instantly.
An enhanced Action Panel provides a full view of upcoming meetings, unread messages, pending tasks, and other key updates, helping employees remain informed regardless of which app they are using.
The updated Dashboard consolidates data from Zoho and third-party apps into one central hub that can be customised using pre-existing or bespoke widgets.
The platform also introduced Vani, a new visual-first collaboration space that supports brainstorming, planning, and creation through diagrams, whiteboards, mind maps, and integrated video calling.
A central integrations panel enables administrators to monitor and configure all connections. Foundational integrations bring application-specific portals—Zoho or third-party—into a single unified portal. Practical tasks such as domain verification and authentication can now be configured more easily.
The new Smart Offboarding feature introduces outcome-based integrations, allowing organisations to transfer department ownership, manage employee device data, and determine data access rights within a single workflow, ensuring smooth transitions.
Also, Zia, Zoho’s AI assistant, is now accessible throughout Zoho One, providing unified intelligence that supports decision-making and improves productivity. Zia can aggregate and contextualise information from various platforms, including third-party systems such as Google Workspace, and present it as clear, actionable insight.
Zia Hubs, the platform’s intelligent content management system, now has a dedicated space where contracts, meeting recordings, and other important assets are automatically organised. Through Zia Search, employees can quickly surface relevant information without navigating multiple locations.
In addition, Ask Zia, available from the bottom toolbar, enables prompt-based searches across Zoho One, providing quick visibility into schedules, tasks, recent interactions, and other key details.
Commenting on the changes, the Country Head for Zoho Nigeria, Mr Kehinde Ogundare, said, “The Zoho One update reflects how work has evolved from using individual applications to operating within a unified platform.
“Zoho One customers are not simply licensing apps; they are choosing a solution that allows Zoho to handle the technology while they focus on productivity. The enhancements announced today deliver a cohesive experience built on unified integrations, context, and data.”
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The unlimited data market in Nigeria is getting more robust with MTN Nigeria joining the fray.
The company, in a statement, said it has launched its Unlimited Broadband Data plans powered by 5G technology.
The new plans are available in speed-based variants of 50Mbps and 100Mbps, designed to cater to a wide range of users and smart homes.
New customers that purchase a 5G router will enjoy a welcome bonus offer of unlimited data for the first 30 days, allowing them to experience the Power of Unlimited 5G!
It aims to convert interest into subscription through immediate incentives such as attractive bundles and device tie-ins, offering exclusive deals on 5G routers to ease the transition for new users.
MTN Nigeria said its new Unlimited Broadband Data plans were tailored to resolve major frustrations faced by Nigerian internet users, capped data volume limits, high costs, and unstable connectivity.
The new proposition is positioned by the company as a transformative product intended to support high-demand users, from streamers and gamers to households and businesses requiring uninterrupted connectivity.
The unlimited broadband data plans focus on providing the necessary high-speed infrastructure to support contemporary Nigerian digital demands and enable customers to Stay Limitless. This includes guaranteeing the stable connection required for virtual meetings and large file transfers, crucial for remote work and digital lifestyle expressions. It also aims to facilitate uninterrupted online learning, high-definition streaming, and professional online gaming.
The technology company is differentiating its plan by highlighting the capabilities of its network, promising lightning-fast speeds and ultra-low latency, a direct response to the pervasive problem of connection lag and buffering.
Furthermore, the network will offer affordable and flexible options, designed to cater to diverse economic segments, ensuring accessibility for both individuals and households.
Customers interested in the new Unlimited Broadband Plans can access them by dialing *461*1#, on MyMTNApp, MTN eShop, MTN website, visiting any authorised retail store, or by speaking with an agent to enquire about available packages.
“We’re building a broadband experience for everyday life; content creators, remote workers, gamers, students and households.
“Our focus is on speed, reliability, low latency, and affordability. Broadband is designed to deliver seamless connectivity that empowers Nigerians to thrive in the digital economy,” the Chief Broadband Officer of MTN Nigeria, Mr Egerton Idehen, stated.
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