May 7, 2024/CSL Research
The recent industry data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) revealed a notable decline in active mobile subscriptions in Nigeria during the first quarter of 2024. The total number of active mobile subscriptions dropped by 5.4 million or 2.4%, settling at 219 million compared to the 224.4 million recorded in December 2023. Monthly data showed a slight decline of 0.30% in the month of March 2024, with active mobile subscriptions decreasing to 219.30 million from 219.97 million in February 2024.
The data suggests that the country lost 666,032 subscribers in March alone, primarily driven by a significant decrease in the number of 9Mobile subscribers. The decline in mobile subscribers can be attributed to the implementation of the NCC’s February directive to telcos to disconnect subscribers whose SIM cards are not linked to their National Identification Numbers (NIN).
MTN, the largest operator by subscriber number, added 903,971 subscribers in the month of March, bringing its total active subscriptions to 81.80 million from 80.9 million in February. Airtel added 320,894 new subscribers during the month under review, increasing its subscriber base to 63.36 million in March from 63.00 million in February.
Globacom also saw an increase, adding 88,247 new subscribers during the month, taking its total active subscriber base to 62.19 million in March, compared to 62.10 million in the previous month. 9mobile, the fourth mobile operator saw a 1.99m decline in its number of subscribers to 11.7 million active subscriptions in March 2024, down from 13.6 million in February.
The country’s teledensity, which measures the number of active telephone connections per 100 inhabitants in an area, declined slightly to 101.16% from 101.47% in February. Despite declining mobile subscriber numbers, broadband penetration rose marginally to 43.53% from 43.08% in February. Given the ongoing implementation of the NCC directive, it is expected that there will be a continued short-term decline in mobile subscriber numbers as telcos enforce the requirement to link SIM cards with NINs.
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CSL Nigeria Daily – 07 May 2024 – Telecoms.pdf
