Telecom
GSMA Mobile World Congress 2015 Gathers Momentum

The mobile communications revolution is driving the world’s major technology breakthroughs. From wearable devices to connected cars and homes, mobile technology is at the heart of worldwide innovation.
As an industry, GSMA and other stakeholders are connecting billions of people to the transformative power of the Internet and mobilising every device in use daily.
In short, the world is on The Edge of Innovation, and the possibilities are endless.
The 2015 GSMA Mobile World Congress will convene industry leaders, visionaries and innovators to explore the trends that will shape mobile in the years ahead.
About The Event
According to the Organiser and depending on the type of pass selected, attendees can take advantage of the many components that make up this industry-leading event:
• A world-class thought-leadership Conference featuring visionary keynotes and panel discussions
• A cutting-edge product and technology Exhibition featuring more than 1,900 exhibitors
• The world’s best venue for seeking industry opportunities, making deals, and networking
• App Planet, the Centre of the Mobile Apps Universe, where the mobile app community gathers to learn, network and engage with innovators
• Global Mobile Awards programme, where we recognise industry innovation and achievements
• And, all MWC pass holders can attend 4YFN, an event focused on startups, corporations, and investors
2014 In Review
Last year’s industry-defining event, Mobile World Congress, was once again hosted in the Mobile World Capital Barcelona, at two world-class venues, Fira Gran Via and Fira Montjuïc.
More than 85,000 attendees from over 200 countries were treated to a wealth of learning and networking opportunities; product showcases and announcements; inspiration and innovation.
The GSMA also hosted the GSMA Seminar programme, educating attendees on industry initiatives such as Connected Living, Digital Commerce, Mobile Money for the Unbanked, mEducation, mHealth, Privacy, Smart Cities, and Spectrum.
As the the world’s largest mobile industry exhibition, more than 1,800 companies showcased their organisations through exhibition stands and hospitality spaces across nine halls and outdoor spaces at Fira Gran Via and Fira Montjuïc.
Visiting the exhibition halls provided glimpses of exciting new phones, tablets, wearables, back-end solutions, technologies, applications, accessories, and more.Between the GSMA Pavilion in the GSMA Connected City, and several initiatives pavilions, the GSMA highlighted important initiatives benefiting the industry, including Mobile Apps, Mobile Cloud, NFC & Mobile Money and Green Technology.
More than 32 countries and territories from around the world showcased innovative companies and ideas from their citizens.
2015 Keynote Speakers
GSMA recently announced that executives from ARM, Ericsson, Micromax, Qualcomm Incorporated and SAP will be delivering keynote addresses at the 2015 GSMA Mobile World Congress, taking place 2-5 March 2015 at Fira Gran Via in Barcelona.
The GSMA also announced the addition of several sponsors and companies participating in partner programmes at the annual mobile industry event.
“The breadth of companies represented in the Mobile World Congress keynote programme underscores the transformative impact that mobile is having across a wide range of industry sectors,” said Michael O’Hara, chief marketing officer, GSMA. “We have an outstanding roster of CEOs set to take the stage in Barcelona in March, offering attendees new insights and perspectives into the developments that are shaping mobile today and well into the future.”
New Keynotes Added To Agenda
The GSMA announced that it has confirmed executives of leading companies from across the mobile industry to deliver keynote presentations at Mobile World Congress.
New keynote speakers include: Simon Segars, CEO, ARM; Hans Vestberg, President and CEO, Ericsson; Sanjay Kapoor, Chairman, Micromax Informatics Limited; Steve Mollenkopf, CEO, Qualcomm Incorporated; Bill McDermott, CEO, SAP.
These executives join previously announced keynote speakers, including: Gary Kovacs, CEO, AVG Technologies; Francisco González, Chairman and CEO, BBVA; Anne Bouverot, Director General, GSMA; Raja Teh Maimunah, MD, CEO and COO, Digital and Transactional Banking, Hong Leong Islamic Bank; Ken Hu, Deputy Chairman and Rotating CEO, Huawei; Jeanie Han, CEO, LINE Euro-Americas; Mitchell Baker, Executive Chairwoman, Mozilla Foundation; Thiru Arunachalam, Founder and CEO, Peel and Carlos Ghosn, Chairman and CEO, Renault-Nissan Alliance.
Others are Alvaro del Castillo, Founder and CEO, TAPTAP Networks; Jon Fredrik Baksaas, President and CEO, Telenor Group and Chairman, GSMA; Dr. Davor Sutija, CEO, Thinfilm
Charles Scharf, CEO, Visa and Jimmy Wales, Founder, Wikipedia.
The Mobile World Congress is the cornerstone of the Mobile World Capital, which will be hosted in Barcelona from 2013 to 2018. The Mobile World Capital encompasses programmes and activities that span the entire year and will benefit not only the citizens of Barcelona, Catalonia and Spain, but also the worldwide mobile industry.
The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, uniting nearly 800 operators with more than 250 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset and device makers, software companies, equipment providers and Internet companies, as well as organisations in adjacent industry sectors.
The GSMA also produces industry-leading events such as Mobile World Congress, Mobile World Congress Shanghai and the Mobile 360 Series conferences.
Telecom
MTN @ First-ever CED, Pledges to Address Subscribers’ Concerns

MTN Nigeria, has pledged the company’s renewed commitment to transparency and responsiveness in addressing customer concerns.

Karl Toriola, chief executive officer, MTN Nigeria,
Karl Toriola, chief executive officer, MTN Nigeria, stated this at the telecoms provider its first-ever Customer Engagement Day (CED) in Lagos.
Speaking during the event, Toriola fielded real-time questions from customers, responding to issues ranging from data quality to customer service gaps.
“We’ve invested heavily to build a network that delivers value for money. While data in Nigeria remains among the most affordable globally, our priority is quality and consistency that truly powers ambition. Today is about transparency: answering your questions, listening to your concerns, and showing that MTN is not just a service provider; we are a partner in your journey,” he said.
The company emphasised that the Customer Engagement Day was designed as an open forum for dialogue between MTN executives and customers.
The hybrid event, themed “We See You. We’re With You,” featured sessions on digital literacy, data usage, youth mentorship, and financial inclusion, aimed at improving subscriber experience and usage efficiency.
Ayham Moussa, chief operating officer, MTN Nigeria, in his opening remarks, highlighted the company’s long-standing connection with Nigerians, noting that its operations were built with input from ordinary citizens.
“When MTN began, it was built by people like you: engineers, entrepreneurs, everyday Nigerians. Today, we connect over 80 million people, and our focus remains simple: to stand with you in your hustle, support your ambitions, and make life easier. This journey is about listening, improving daily, and being a shield for homes and businesses across Nigeria,” he said.
A key session on Data Usage and Management offered participants practical guidance on how to manage and conserve data, with many customers raising questions about consumption patterns and transparency in billing.
Ugonwa Nwoye, chief customer relations & experience officer, MTN, stated, “We know how essential data is; it’s how we live, work, and connect. From parents streaming classes to small businesses on Zoom, we see your daily realities. That’s why we’re focused not just on providing data but on helping you use it better, with practical tools and tips that put you in control. We hear you, and we’re acting on what you’ve told us today.”
Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, chief marketing officer of MTN Nigeria, reiterated the importance of continuous engagement: “Today has been about listening, learning, and connecting with you. We’ve heard your complaints, your ideas, and even your personal stories. From parents balancing their children’s needs to businesses working tirelessly online, be assured that we listen, we care, and we do. Your trust means everything to us, and we’re committed to turning today’s conversations into real actions.”
Ikenna-Emeka stressed that MTN Nigeria seeks to reposition itself not only as a telecom operator but also as a listening partner in the everyday lives of its subscribers.
The event also provided a platform for small businesses, young professionals, and digital creators to interact with MTN leaders during Speed Mentorship sessions, where they shared their goals and received guidance on navigating the digital economy, technology adoption, and entrepreneurial strategy.
Visitors engaged with various thematic lounges, including MoMo PSB, MTN’s fintech subsidiary, where tools for financial inclusion were showcased.
Other activities included a digital skills academy, interactive tech demonstrations, and a startup pitch challenge, reflecting MTN’s efforts to align services with evolving customer needs.
Telecom
Airtel Nigeria Raises Infrastructure Spending to $39m

Airtel Africa Plc increased its capital expenditure in Nigeria to $39m in the second quarter of 2025, up 1.7 per cent from $38m in the same period last year.
According to the company’s financial statement the marginal increase highlights Airtel’s continued investment in its largest and most strategic market, despite a broader slowdown in group-level capital spending this quarter.
The Punch newspaper reported that the increase in capital spending by Airtel comes at a time when telecom subscribers are expecting tangible improvements in service quality, following a 50 per cent tariff adjustment approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission earlier this year.
It added that Telcos have begun to show signs of commitment to network upgrades, bolstered by the recent delivery of telecom equipment valued at $1bn.
“In Nigeria, capital expenditure for the quarter ended 30 June 2025 was $39m, compared to $38m in the same period last year,”.
According to the statement, the Group-wide capital expenditure stood at $121m in the three months ended June 30, representing a decline from the previous year, which the company attributed to timing differences in project execution.
However, Airtel maintained its full-year capex guidance at between $725m and $750m, indicating that more spending is anticipated in the coming quarters.
Capital expenditure, or Capex, refers to the funds used by a company to acquire or upgrade physical assets such as network towers, fibre infrastructure, and IT systems.
In Nigeria, the $39m spent during the quarter was likely directed toward expanding and modernising the operator’s mobile and broadband networks, enhancing service coverage and capacity in urban and rural areas.
Telecom
History as MTN Nigeria Becomes First to Hit ₦10 Trillion Market Cap @ NGX

MTN Nigeria Communications Plc has achieved a historic milestone, becoming the first listed company on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) to reach a market capitalization of ₦10 trillion, as its share price closed at ₦480 on Friday, August 1, 2025.
The telecommunications giant’s shares gained ₦8 or 1.69% during Friday’s trading session, pushing the company’s market value past the ₦10 trillion threshold.
This remarkable achievement comes just two days after MTN Nigeria released its stellar half-year 2025 financial results on Wednesday, which showed exceptional performance across all key metrics.
The timing is not surprising based on what was said in the company’s H1 results, which revealed a dramatic turnaround from losses to profitability.
The telecoms operator reported service revenue growth of 54.6% to ₦2.4 trillion, while EBITDA surged by 119.5% to ₦1.2 trillion with margins expanding significantly to 50.6%.
Most importantly, the company achieved a profit after tax of ₦414.9 billion, marking a stunning recovery from the loss of ₦519.1 billion recorded in the same period last year.
Speaking on the H1 2025 results that have driven investor confidence, Karl Toriola, CEO, MTN Nigeria, said: “We are excited by the progress made in the first half of 2025, reflecting the successful execution of the strategic priorities we previously communicated to the market.”
Toriola emphasized the company’s strong operational momentum, stating: “Building on the momentum from the first quarter, we delivered strong growth in service revenue for the period under review. This was driven by robust demand for our services, proactive customer value management and price adjustments, mainly in Q2.”
The CEO’s confidence in the company’s trajectory was evident in his commentary about future prospects.
“In light of the strong momentum in our business, we have upgraded our FY 2025 and medium-term guidance and we remain firmly on track to restore our balance sheet to a positive net asset position by the end of Q3,” Toriola declared.
This optimistic outlook, backed by upgraded financial guidance targeting service revenue growth of “at least low-50%” and EBITDA margin of “at least low-50%” for FY 2025, has clearly resonated with investors.
Toriola highlighted improving operating conditions that have supported the company’s performance: “The macroeconomic conditions in Nigeria showed notable improvements in the period under review, including a relatively stable naira, improved foreign exchange (forex) liquidity and easing inflationary pressures.”
He noted that “this backdrop helped to enable our improved business performance and set a more supportive context for increased long-term investments.”
The ₦10 trillion market cap milestone represents extraordinary value creation for shareholders.
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