The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has granted regulatory approval for a landmark three-year national roaming agreement between MTN Nigeria Communications Plc and Emerging Markets Telecommunications Services Limited, widely known as 9Mobile.
The agreement will enable 9Mobile subscribers to seamlessly roam on MTN Nigeria’s expansive network infrastructure across the country, significantly enhancing mobile connectivity and service quality—especially in underserved and rural areas.
Strengthening Connectivity Through Strategic Collaboration
In a regulatory filing to the Nigerian Exchange, MTN Nigeria confirmed the agreement, stating:
“The agreement allows 9Mobile subscribers to roam seamlessly on MTN Nigeria’s network, fostering industry collaboration and enhancing operational efficiencies. By leveraging our extensive coverage, 9Mobile can now provide improved mobile communication services to its customers.”
MTN Nigeria CEO, Karl Toriola, hailed the development as a strategic step toward bridging coverage gaps and deepening industry collaboration.
“This agreement represents a significant milestone in our commitment to improving customer experience, deepening industry collaboration, and supporting the NCC’s vision of a fully connected Nigeria. Delivering the scale required for telecom services in Nigeria demands collaboration across the private sector, public institutions, and long-term investors.”
The arrangement encourages sustainable growth in the telecom sector by promoting the efficient use of existing infrastructure, reducing both capital and operational costs, and expanding nationwide access to reliable mobile services.
Market Context: Bridging the Divide
As of March 2025, Nigeria recorded over 172 million active mobile subscriptions. MTN Nigeria leads the market with 90.4 million active lines, commanding a 52.48% market share. In contrast, 9Mobile accounts for just 2.8 million subscriptions, representing 1.72% of the market.
While other major operators saw subscriber growth between February and March 2025, 9Mobile’s figures remained stagnant—partly due to regulatory constraints that restricted number porting during the period.
This agreement builds upon the NCC’s earlier efforts to encourage infrastructure sharing in the industry. Notably, in 2020, the Commission approved a pilot national roaming initiative between MTN and 9Mobile in Ondo State. That pilot now serves as a foundation for this full-scale national rollout.
A Forward-Looking Vision
The nationwide roaming deal is more than a commercial agreement—it aligns with the NCC’s broader strategic objective of improving telecom service delivery and deepening digital inclusion through infrastructure sharing.
By opening MTN’s network to 9Mobile subscribers, the partnership promises to unlock broader access to mobile services, particularly in remote areas, thereby narrowing the digital divide and fostering a more inclusive communications ecosystem in Nigeria.
