Telecom
YouTube week kicks off in Lagos

YouTube Nigeria on Monday kicked off a whole week of activities, content premieres, and fan meet and greets in Lagos with the award of a number of Gold and Silver Play Buttons to local YouTube Creators.
Gold Play Buttons are awarded to channels which have reached the one million subscriber mark, and Silver to those which have garnered 100,000 subscribers.
D’banj, on Monday picked up a Silver Play Button in recognition of achieving 100,000 subscriptions to his YouTube channel, while Neptune3 Studios, 2Baba Idibia, Teni and Adekunle Gold will be receiving similar awards during the course of the week.
Flavour, whose channel has crossed the one million subscriber mark, will be picking up a Gold Play Button during the week.
Addy Awofisayo, YouTube Partnerships Manager, while presenting the Play Buttons at a media event in Lagos, outlined the activities underway to mark You Tube week.
According to her, “A week-long bootcamp for YouTube Creators started on Monday morning and will culminate in a graduation ceremony and wrap party on Friday, 21 June.
“The Bootcamp is covering topics like channel & content strategy, working with brands, creator responsibility, production, and accelerating growth on YouTube.
“A public YouTube Masterclass will be held on Saturday, for registered participants.
“Throughout the week, YouTube Nigeria will premiere new original series including the D’Banj ‘Adventures KokoMaster’ series, which premiered on Monday, the ‘Brotherhood’ series premiere from Accelerate TV on Tuesday, the SceneOne ‘Ayetoro’ series premiere on Wednesday and an evening with Tuface Idibia (2Baba) on Thursday.
“Fans will have a chance to meet, greet and engage with their favourite Creators this week too.
“Creators such as Abisola Aiyeola, Tobi Bakre, Layefa Beauty, and Zeelicious Foods will be engaging and interacting with fans daily at planned events.
“Nigeria has a culture that is steeped in sharing and storytelling, and Nigerians are passionate about music, entertainment and education,” says Awofisayo,.
“Since its launch in Nigeria in 2011, we’ve provided a platform for Nigerians to share the country’s unique and diverse culture on a global stage, and also offer Nigerian users more relevant content.
Over 5000 hours of content are uploaded to YouTube every minute, says Awofisayo.
“YouTube attracts a global generation that has grown up watching what they want, whenever they want, on whatever device is closest.
“What happens on YouTube is a reflection of what is important and relevant to the world.
“YouTube has a large and passionate community where people gather and express themselves, share experiences, and reflect on what they think about and care about moment to moment.
“We’re very excited, this week, to bring YouTube’s Creator community and fans together to share, learn and celebrate YouTube and the Nigerian Creators who are taking our culture to the world.” she added.
Telecom
MTN Group to Invest $10Bn in African Expansion by 2030

MTN Group announced plans to expand its footprint on the continent with a $10 billion investment by 2030.
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), which relayed the information, said the company will inject $2 billion annually as part of the initiative.
According to the ITU, MTN Group plans to use these funds to expand and enhance its voice and data networks, aiming to provide better coverage and connectivity for its customers.
The company sees these investments as key to driving digital inclusion and supporting economic growth in its key markets.
Sub-Saharan Africa, which accounts for 13 of MTN’s target markets, had 527 million unique mobile subscribers in 2023, with a penetration rate of 44%, according to the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSMA).
The region also had 320 million mobile internet subscribers, representing 27% of the population.
This digital divide presents opportunities for telecom operators.
The GSMA projects that the number of unique mobile subscribers in sub-Saharan Africa will reach 751 million by 2030, growing at an annual compound rate of 4.5% from 2023 to 2030.
Mobile internet subscribers are expected to increase to 518 million, with the mobile internet penetration rate reaching 37%, up from 27%.
However, the GSMA estimates that telecom operators will need to invest $62 billion in their networks over the period.
By gaining new subscribers, MTN hopes to solidify its position as “Africa’s largest mobile network operator.”
The company currently has around 230 million subscribers, competing with Vodacom (205 million), Airtel Africa (163.1 million), and Orange (160 million).
Despite focusing on infrastructure, MTN must also address challenges hindering the adoption of mobile phone and internet services.
According to the GSMA, one key obstacle is the high cost of smartphones, which makes them difficult to access for many people.
The GSMA encourages telecom operators to implement initiatives such as device financing plans, installment payment options, and affordable smartphones through partnerships with manufacturers.
Telecom
ATCON Calls for Telecom Policy Improvements in Nigeria

Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) has called on the Nigerian Government to address policy gaps in the telecom sector to achieve digital inclusion and transformation.
Tony Emoekpere, president, ATCON, highlighted this during an interview on Tuesday with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
“The strategic plan for the Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy outlines a clear roadmap for the sector, emphasising digital transformation, economic diversification, and broadband expansion.
“One of the flagship policies driving the industry is the National Broadband Plan 2020-2025, which aims for 70 per cent broadband penetration by the end of 2025.
“While progress has been made, the latest data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) puts broadband penetration at 44.43 per cent as of December 2024.
“This is a reality check as we still have some distance to cover with less than a year to meet the target,” Emoekpere said
He commended the NCC for its transparency in publishing verifiable data, which he said is crucial for identifying and addressing gaps.
Emoekpere also praised reforms like Right of Way (RoW) policies and broadband infrastructure investment incentives, as well as the Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) protections aimed at reducing fibre cuts and vandalism.
However, he stressed the need for full implementation of these measures.
The ATCON president identified multiple taxation, high infrastructure costs, and vandalism as major barriers to progress.
He also emphasised the importance of broadband penetration as the backbone of digital inclusion, noting that without widespread, affordable internet access, even the best digital skills programs would have limited impact.
Emoekpere lauded the government’s plan to train 3 million digital professionals by 2027, calling it a forward-thinking initiative to equip Nigerians for the digital economy.
“For meaningful progress, we need aggressive infrastructure rollout, harmonised taxation, and stronger protection for telecom assets,” he said.
Telecom
9mobile Reinforces Innovation Leadership with Echoes, Its Trailblazing AI Storytelling Platform

9mobile, telecommunications provider in Nigeria, continues to push the boundaries of innovation with the introduction of Echoes, its AI-driven storytelling platform that seamlessly blends artificial intelligence with compelling narratives.
This groundbreaking initiative is designed to forge deeper connections with audiences, enhance brand affinity, boost engagement, and ignite conversations about Nigeria’s rich heritage and culture.
Echoes by 9mobile was born out of the brand’s commitment to celebrating Nigeria’s diverse history, myths, and true events. Through this initiative, the company seeks to educate, engage, and spark meaningful discussions, aligning perfectly with 9mobile’s youthful and dynamic identity.
Storytelling has long been a powerful medium of expression in Nigeria, and 9mobile leveraged this to resonate with its audience in an authentic and impactful way.
According to Director of Marketing at 9mobile Kenechukwu Okonkwo, “As a proudly Nigerian brand, we were deliberate about sharing rich Nigerian stories; capturing facts, myths, and true events that form the fabric of our identity.
“Many of these stories have been forgotten or lost as our cultures evolve. With Echoes, we step away from the Eurocentric narratives that dominate mainstream media and instead celebrate Nigerian stories, told by Nigerians, for Nigerians.”
He further explained that 9mobile carefully curated stories that matter to its audience, stories of resilience, ambition, culture, and everyday life deeply rooted in Nigeria’s history. The initial edition featured iconic locations such as Kajuru Castle, Idanre Hills, and Ogbunike Cave, with later episodes covering historical figures and events like King Eyo Honesty II and Igbo Landing.
Each story underwent meticulous research, AI-assisted scripting, and precise editing to ensure both engagement and alignment with 9mobile’s core values. These stories were then distributed in various formats, including creative Shorts, Reels, TikTok clips, and social media posts across X (Twitter), Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.
While AI played a crucial role in bringing this project to life, 9mobile ensured its ethical and responsible use.
“We prioritized accuracy and cultural sensitivity, ensuring that each narrative remained a true representation of historical accounts. Additionally, there was no data gatekeeping; audiences could access these stories without restrictions,” Okonkwo emphasized.
The Echoes campaign quickly gained traction, sparking discussions, encouraging user engagement, and strengthening the emotional bond between 9mobile and Nigerian youth.
The initiative amassed over a million views across various channels, reached more than 6.3 million people, and recorded over 7.8 million impressions. As a testament to its innovation, 9mobile was honoured with the “Best Use of AI” award at the prestigious ADVAN Awards.
Commenting on this achievement, 9mobiles Chief Executive Officer, Obafemi Banigbe, stated: “We are thrilled to receive this recognition, which reaffirms our commitment to innovation and customer-centricity. Echoes is a game-changer in the telecom industry, and we take pride in leading AI-driven innovation in Nigeria.”
The launch of Echoes marks a significant milestone for 9mobile, reinforcing its leadership in leveraging technology to drive business growth and enhance customer satisfaction.
This initiative cements 9mobile’s position as a pioneer in AI adoption within the telecommunications sector, further strengthening its commitment to delivering world-class services.
9mobile’s legacy of AI-driven solutions extends beyond Echoes. In 2020, the company introduced Enin’, Nigeria’s first AI-enabled chatbot developed by a telecom provider. This intelligent virtual assistant revolutionized customer service, allowing users to purchase airtime, subscribe to data plans, access exclusive offers, receive notifications, manage subscriptions, and even connect with live agents seamlessly.
As 9mobile continues to push the boundaries of AI-driven innovation, its dedication to enhancing user experiences and redefining engagement remains stronger than ever.
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