Active mobile phone lines up from 207.58m in 2020
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Active telephone subscriber base rose to 214.35 million in October 2022, up from 207.58 million in October 2020, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) data shows.
Telecom networks disclosed the numbers are growing because more subscribers are getting new SIMs to bypass restrictions on SIMs not linked to National Identification Numbers (NINs), based on government directive in 2020.
“As a result, the average daily gross connection was 48.1 per cent above the pre-directive level, partly driven by the cohort of subscribers who were initially restricted and opted to register new SIMs,” MTN Chief Executive Officer Karl Toriola explained in the company’s third quarter (Q3 2022) release.
“Combined with increased usage from the existing base, these have supported an acceleration in the service revenue growth recovery and mitigated the impact of churn on the base.”
Consistent growth in subscriber numbers in 2022 aligns with the forecast of the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA).
GSMA noted Nigeria has a sizeable number of its population under the age of 18, meaning its subscriber growth would remain strong for the foreseeable future as more young consumers cross into adulthood and subscribe to mobile services.
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Nigeria anticipates 18m new subscribers
GSMA estimates 18 million new Nigerians to become unique telecoms subscribers by 2025, per reporting by The PUNCH.
Mobile is at the core of connectivity in Nigeria, with the majority of online services accessed through mobile channels.
GSMA believes mobile connectivity is set to play a crucial role in defining the new normal in Africa’s most populous nation.
“In 2021, mobile technologies and services generated around 8 per cent of GDP across Sub-Saharan Africa, a contribution that amounted to almost $140bn of economic value added,” it said.
“The mobile ecosystem also supported more than 3.2 million jobs (directly and indirectly) and made a substantial contribution to the funding of the public sector, with $16bn raised through taxes on the sector.
“By 2025, mobile’s contribution will grow by $65bn (to almost $155bn), as the countries in the region increasingly benefit from the improvements in productivity and efficiency brought about by the increased take-up of mobile services.”
However, about 31.6 million Nigerians live in areas without telecom coverage, according to the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy.
The ministry said the absence of coverage facilities criminal activities and insecurity in such areas.