Nigeria Agrees to 50% Telecom Price Hike After Lobbying

Nigeria's telecommunications sector is about to experience a significant change. After intense lobbying by telecom operators, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has approved a 50% increase in telecommunications tariffs. This decision aims to address the financial struggles of telecom companies, which have been facing rising operational costs due to inflation and currency devaluation.

The tariff hike will affect both voice and data services, with the price of calls, SMS, and internet bundles expected to rise. For instance, the cost of a phone call could increase from ₦11 to ₦15.40 per minute, while SMS charges may rise from ₦4 to ₦5.60.

Telecom operators like MTN Nigeria, Airtel, and 9Mobile have been pushing for a tariff increase for over a decade, citing significant financial losses. In 2023, MTN Nigeria reported a loss of ₦137 billion, which expanded to ₦514.9 billion in the first nine months of 2024.

The NCC has emphasized that the tariff adjustment is necessary to ensure the sustainability of the telecom industry, while also protecting consumers. The commission has also announced plans to improve telecommunications infrastructure, including the rollout of 90,000 kilometers of fiber-optic networks and the construction of telecom towers in remote areas.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-01-20/nigeria-agrees-50-telecom-price-hike-after-lobbying