Technology
Airtel Nigeria to Acquire $70m Spectrum for Better LTE Services
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The proposed acquisition of additional 10 MHz spectrum in the 900 MHZ band in Nigeria for a consideration of $70 million has been announced by Airtel Africa Plc, a leading pan-African provider of telecommunications and mobile money services, with a presence in 14 countries across Africa.
The deal was signed between Airtel Networks Limited (Airtel Nigeria), a subsidiary of Airtel Africa, and Intercellular Nigeria Limited, but is subject to regulatory approval by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the regulatory agency in Nigeria.
In a notice to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) today, Airtel Africa said the $70 million valuation for the spectrum excludes fees to be collected by the NCC in accordance with the NCC Spectrum Trading Guidelines.
Explaining one of the benefits of this deal, Airtel Africa said the acquisition of this additional spectrum will allow Airtel Nigeria to expand and strengthen its LTE network across the country.
“Data is a key pillar of our growth strategy, driven by increasing 4G networks and supported by the increased affordability and increasing penetration of smartphones.
“With an overall smartphone penetration of more than 35 percent and data consumption growing by 92 percent in the six months’ period ended September 30, 2019, Nigeria presents a significant growth opportunity in data.
“The acquisition of this spectrum will enable us to further deliver on this growth opportunity and continue to offer our Nigerian customers an enhanced user experience,” the CEO of Airtel Africa, Mr Raghunath Mandava, stated.
Nigeria is Airtel Africa’s largest market and in the first six months of this year, the revenue generated by Airtel Nigeria increased by 23 percent, with data growth being the largest contributor.
Data revenue increased by 76 percent during the period driven by the accelerated rollout of our 4G network, with increase in data customer base of 20.8 percent and an ARPU growth of 43 percent. During the period, 4G data usage increased by almost 20 times.
Airtel Africa, the second largest mobile operator in Africa by number of active subscribers, offers an integrated suite of telecommunications solutions to its subscribers, including mobile voice and data services as well as mobile money services both nationally and internationally.
The group has invested to expand its network footprint and number of 4G sites, to enhance network quality and experience.
Airtel Africa is well positioned to capture growth opportunities presented by promising underlying macroeconomic and demographic trends in a fast-growing region that is vastly underpenetrated in terms of mobile and banking services.
Its footprint is characterized by low but increasing levels of mobile connectivity, with a unique user penetration at 44 percent, highlighting the potential for growth across its footprint.
Technology
Interswitch Inducts New Interns into Developer Academy to Fortify Tech Talent Pipeline
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
A cohort of developer interns has been inducted into the Developer Academy of Interswitch as part of efforts to deepen Africa’s tech talent pipeline.
The new cohort emerged through a rigorous multi-stage process involving technical assessments and interviews. They were chosen from over 20,000 applications.
The talents were sourced from across key engineering tracks, including Backend Development, DevOps, Mobile Development, Frontend Engineering, and Quality Assurance.
Their induction highlights both the scale of interest in software engineering opportunities in Nigeria and Interswitch’s role in nurturing the next generation of highly skilled technology professionals.
During the 9-month programme, participants will benefit from mentorship by experienced professionals, exposure to enterprise-grade systems, and the development of workplace readiness skills essential for today’s dynamic work environment.
Designed as an intensive and structured learning experience, the Developer Academy combines theoretical instruction with real-world application, equipping participants with the skills required to thrive in an increasingly global and competitive technology landscape.
At the end of the programme, top-performing interns may be offered full-time roles within Interswitch, while others are well-positioned to pursue opportunities across the broader technology landscape.
“At Interswitch, we have always believed in the capacity to see beyond the immediate challenges and focus on long-term impact. While the migration of skilled talent remains a reality, our approach is to actively shape the outcomes by building a strong and sustainable pipeline of technology professionals,” the chief executive of Interswitch, Mr Mitchell Elegbe, said.
“We are therefore committed to equipping individuals with the capabilities to contribute meaningfully to the broader technology ecosystem, locally and globally, not just for our own needs at Interswitch. In doing so, we are not only strengthening the industry but also reinforcing Nigeria’s position as a source of globally competitive engineering talent,” he added.
Also commenting, the Human Resources Officer, Mr Franklin Ali, said, “The Developer Academy reflects our long-term commitment to building talent at scale. We are equipping these young professionals not just with technical skills, but with the mindset, discipline, and adaptability required to thrive in diverse environments.
“Whether they build their careers within Interswitch, contribute to the local ecosystem, or explore global opportunities, they represent the strength and potential of Nigerian talent and carry forward the standard of excellence we are committed to building.”
Beyond its immediate training objectives, Interswitch’s Developer Academy is anchored on a broader strategic vision, one that addresses the ongoing migration of skilled talent from Nigeria and other developing economies.
As global demand for software engineers continues to rise, many highly skilled professionals are increasingly recruited by international organisations.
Interswitch’s approach reframes this trend, positioning talent development both as a means of local capacity building and as an opportunity to strengthen Nigeria’s reputation as a global hub for technology expertise.
Technology
Flexmobile to Disrupt Nigeria’s Telecom Landscape
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Nigeria’s telecom landscape is about to be abuzz, with the much-anticipated launch of Flexmobile from Hazon Technologies.
Feelers indicate that the company will soon make a commercial debut, as the regulatory approval is now in the final stage.
It was gathered that the commercial rollout for Flexmobile should be June 1, 2026, as this depends on the authorisation of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), which regulates the sector. The telco will have the distinctive 081 number series.
Early signals suggest a product ecosystem engineered around flexibility, data-centricity, and user control—an approach aligned with the evolving expectations of Nigeria’s digitally connected population.
For seamless operations, Flexmobile has sealed commercial agreements with its MVNE, IMBIL, and Airtel Nigeria.
“What lies ahead is more than a launch—it is the beginning of a new way to experience telecoms in Nigeria,” the chief executive of Hazon Technologies, Mr Victor ‘Gbenga Afolabi, said at a recent media briefing.
“After years of building the right partnerships and infrastructure, we are approaching a defining milestone. Flexmobile is designed to challenge conventions and introduce a smarter, more flexible telecom experience for Nigerians,” he added.
While full details of its offering will be unveiled at launch, Flexmobile is expected to introduce a suite of value-added services designed to go beyond traditional connectivity—positioning the brand at the intersection of telecoms, lifestyle, and digital enablement.
Backed by strong institutional partnerships and a robust MVNE framework, Flexmobile enters the market not just as another operator, but as a platform with the potential to reshape how telecom services are consumed and experienced.
Technology
ipNX, NCC to Drive Inclusive Digital Growth Across Nigeria
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
A leading Information and Communications Technology (ICT) company, ipNX Nigeria, is joining forces with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to accelerate broadband penetration and drive inclusive digital growth across the country.
Recently, an executive delegation of the organisation paid a visit to the chairman of the regulatory agency, Mr Idris Olorunimbe.
“We are pleased to engage with the new chairman of the NCC and show our support as he takes on this important role.
“Strong leadership and a clear policy direction are essential to unlocking the full potential of Nigeria’s digital economy.
“At ipNX, we remain committed to working closely with the commission and other stakeholders to expand broadband access, enhance connectivity in educational institutions, and ultimately bridge the digital divide.
“This collaboration will empower millions of Nigerians and further position the country as a leader in Africa’s technological evolution,” the Managing Director of ipNX Nigeria, Mr Ejovi Aror, said at the visit.
In his remarks, Mr Olorunnimbe thanked the firm for the show of support, reiterating the commission’s commitment to fostering an enabling environment for private sector participation in achieving universal broadband access across Nigeria.
This collaboration is expected to advance Nigeria’s transformation agenda in technology and help boost the federal government’s broadband agenda for the country.
ipNX Nigeria has said it remains at the forefront of delivering cutting-edge broadband and ICT solutions, and this engagement underscores its unwavering dedication to supporting national development through technology-driven initiatives.
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