The government of Nigeria has updated its broadband ambitions, aiming to increase penetration from 30% by 2020 to 70% by 2021, though most connections will be via mobile networks.
According to Research & Markets, the sector is still dominated by GSM technology, though a greater reliance on LTE infrastructure is expected in the coming years, supported by improved terrestrial fibre networks to provide backhaul for data services.
The regulator has licensed a number of regional infrastructure companies (InfraCos) to build the national broadband network and offer the capacity to all service providers on a non-discriminatory, open-access and price-regulated basis. This is helping to boost the country's fixed-line broadband sector, which has seen considerable consolidation among players in recent years.
Nigeria has one of the largest telecom markets in Africa, supported by the second largest economy on the continent after South Africa. The economy has recovered from a recent recession, with GDP growth of 1.9% in 2018. This has helped the telecom sector to attract foreign investment, particularly from China, while government infrastructure programs are also stimulating investment.
