9mobile and MTN are Set to Launch National Roaming by the End of July, to Boost Network Connectivity Across Nigeria

9mobile and MTN are set to launch national roaming by the end of July 2025, a move that promises to boost network connectivity across Nigeria significantly. This new partnership, approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), will allow 9mobile subscribers to use MTN’s extensive network infrastructure for calls, SMS, and data services in areas where 9mobile’s coverage is limited or unavailable.

This national roaming agreement is the first of its kind in Nigeria and across West, Central, and East Africa. It aims to improve service quality for millions of Nigerians, especially those in underserved and rural regions. By sharing infrastructure, 9mobile can enhance its network reach without the heavy costs of building new towers and equipment. This is crucial for 9mobile, which has faced significant challenges in recent years, including a sharp decline in its subscriber base from over 22 million in 2016 to about 3 million by early 2025.

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Obafemi Banigbe, CEO of 9mobile, described the partnership as a “commercial partnership focused on operational efficiency” rather than a merger or coalition. He emphasized that 9mobile’s strategy is to “build where necessary and share where possible,” highlighting that access to infrastructure is now more important than ownership. This approach will help 9mobile reduce capital expenditure and reinvest savings into improving customer experience and innovation.

For MTN, Nigeria’s largest mobile network operator with over 90 million subscribers, the deal is also beneficial. MTN will gain access to 9mobile’s underutilized spectrum bands (900 MHz, 1800 MHz, and 2100 MHz), which will help MTN enhance its network capacity and manage congestion in high-traffic areas. The partnership reflects a new model of “co-opetition,” where both companies cooperate in infrastructure sharing while still competing in service and innovation.

The agreement, which lasts for three years, builds on a successful pilot conducted in Ondo State in 2020. It aligns with the NCC’s long-standing push for infrastructure sharing to reduce duplication, lower operational costs, and accelerate rural connectivity. The regulator sees such collaborations as vital for promoting universal access to telecommunications services without triggering harmful price wars.

This national roaming deal is expected to revive 9mobile’s fortunes by improving network reliability and coverage, helping it retain existing customers and potentially attract new ones. Many 9mobile users have experienced poor network quality, dropped calls, and slow data speeds, leading to subscriber losses. With this partnership, 9mobile customers will enjoy seamless connectivity on MTN’s network without changing their service provider or phone numbers.

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Karl Toriola, CEO of MTN Nigeria, expressed pride in the collaboration, calling it a milestone for the telecom industry that supports the NCC’s vision of a fully connected Nigeria. He highlighted that delivering telecommunications at the needed scale requires strong collaboration between the private sector, public sector, and investors.

9mobile and MTN are set to launch national roaming by the end of July 2025 to boost network connectivity across Nigeria, and this innovative partnership will extend 9mobile’s coverage through MTN’s network, improve service quality, and promote digital inclusion nationwide. It marks a significant step toward a more efficient and collaborative telecom industry in Nigeria, benefiting millions of subscribers and supporting the country’s growing digital economy.

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