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Nigeria, SA Drive Strong Growth in Africa’s Smartphone Shipments

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A total of 22.4 million smartphones were shipped in Africa during the second quarter of this year (Q2 2018), according to the latest insights from International Data Corporation (IDC).

The global technology research and consulting firm’s Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker shows that Africa’s smartphone shipments increased 9.8% quarter on quarter (QoQ) and 6.0% year on year (YoY) in Q2 2018.

The market’s buoyant performance was spurred by the growing popularity of low-end to mid-range devices. Transsion brands continued to lead the continent’s smartphone space in Q2 2018, accounting 35.4% of shipments. Samsung followed in second place with 23.2% share.

By contrast, the feature phone market was down 1.1% QoQ and 5.8% YoY in Q2 2018, but – with shipments totaling 31.4 million units – these devices still constitute a 58.3% share of Africa’s overall mobile phone market as they cater to the needs of the continent’s huge low-income population (mainly in rural areas) by providing basic mobile communications that are priced very competitively.

Telco and Itel continued to lead feature phone category in Q2 2018 with a combined unit share of 59.9%, followed in third place by HMD on 9.0%.

Looking at the overall picture, the region’s combined mobile phone market totaled 53.8 million units in Q2 2018, with shipments up 3.2% QoQ but down 1.2% YoY.

The continent’s two biggest markets – Nigeria and South Africa – saw a marked improvement in the performance of their overall mobile phone markets, posting YoY growth of 13.0% and 25.0%, respectively.

“The Nigerian economy remains stable and has begun to show signs of steady improvement in terms of consumer demand for mobile phones.

“The country saw smartphone shipments of 2.7 million units in Q2 2018, up 15.8% YoY, with strong marketing support from telecom operators for most brands proving instrumental. However, ongoing currency issues and falling consumer purchasing power suggest Nigeria is not set for a sustained surge in smartphone shipments,” says Arnold Ponela, a research analyst at IDC.

South Africa remains the continent’s most developed telecommunications market, with smartphone shipments up 17.4% YoY in Q2 2018 to total 3.4 million units.

“Numerous new entrants to the South African market are now offering affordable smartphones that boast very similar features to the leading brands.

“As such, we expect the country’s migration away from feature phones to continue at a progressive pace.

This transition from feature phones to smartphones is reflected by the fact that the market continues to be dominated by low-end to mid-range devices priced below $150,” says Ponela.

IDC’s research shows that 4G LTE networks are spreading their reach in Africa, with shipments of 4G LTE devices increasing 11.8% QoQ in Q2 2018 to constitute 62.6% of the smartphone market.

“Despite a drop in the prices of entry-level 4G phones, 2G and 3G mobile devices remain far more economical, making it difficult for operators to migrate clients over to newer technologies.

“Price sensitivity means that many African consumers prefer to stick with 3G phones, and this is likely to continue until 4G devices fall to a price point where they are affordable to a much larger segment of the continent’s consumer base,” says Ramazan Yavuz, a research manager at IDC.

Looking ahead, IDC expects Africa’s overall mobile phone market to grow 2.6% QoQ in Q3 2018, with overall shipments to increase slightly through 2018, leading to YoY growth of 0.4% for the year as a whole.

“IDC predicts that 5G phones will reach the market in 2020, when rollouts of 5G networks will start in select African countries,” says Yavuz. “However, demand for feature phones is unlikely to be impacted significantly as these devices will continue to serve a purpose in areas with no LTE coverage.”


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Telecom

MTN @ First-ever CED, Pledges to Address Subscribers’ Concerns

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

MTN @ First-ever CED, Pledges to Address Subscribers’ 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.

 

 

 

 


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Airtel Nigeria Raises Infrastructure Spending to $39m

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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.

Airtel Nigeria Raises Infrastructure Spending to $39m

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.


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History as MTN Nigeria Becomes First to Hit ₦10 Trillion Market Cap @ NGX

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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.

istory as MTN Nigeria Becomes First to Hit ₦10 Trillion Market Cap @ NGX

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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