MTN, Airtel Generate N3.6 Trillion from Data as Nigeria’s Internet Usage Surges — The Business Bureau
By Queen Madaki
The Business Bureau reports that MTN Nigeria and Airtel Nigeria generated over N3.6 trillion from data services in 2025, underscoring the structural shift in Nigeria’s telecom revenue model toward internet-driven earnings.
While data overtook voice as the primary revenue stream for operators several years ago, the pace of expansion in 2025 significantly outstripped voice growth, reflecting deeper digital penetration across households and businesses.
MTN Airtel Data Revenue Nigeria The Business Bureau Analysis
According to audited financial reports, MTN Nigeria generated N2.8 trillion from data in the year ended December 31, 2025 — a 74.5% increase compared to N1.6 trillion in 2024.
The company disclosed that data traffic surged by 34.0%, while average usage per subscriber climbed 20% to 13.1GB annually.
“The structural demand for data in Nigeria was demonstrated by the 34.0% increase in data traffic on our network,” MTN CEO Karl Toriola stated.
Similarly, Airtel Nigeria recorded N838.6 billion in data revenue for the nine months ended December 31, 2025 — representing 67.4% growth from N500.8 billion in the corresponding period of 2024.
Data usage per Airtel customer rose 26.2% to 10.7GB monthly, while smartphone penetration increased to 54.1%.
Combined, both operators generated approximately N3.64 trillion from data alone.
Nigeria Telecom Data Consumption 2025 Hits Record Levels
Industry data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) confirms that data consumption continued rising despite the 50% tariff adjustment approved in January 2025.
In May 2025, Nigerians consumed 1.04 million terabytes — the highest monthly record since the regulator began publishing detailed consumption statistics in 2023.
By December 2025, data usage had climbed further to 1.38 million terabytes, setting a new peak.
The increase indicates that demand elasticity remains strong, with consumers prioritising connectivity despite higher pricing.
What Is Driving the Surge?
Experts attribute the growth to Nigeria’s expanding digital economy.
Short-form video platforms, livestreaming, remote work tools, online gaming, and fintech applications are accelerating bandwidth consumption across income segments.
According to digital marketing analyst Idowu Ayodele, monetisation policies across major social media platforms are incentivising higher video uploads and content creation.
Telecom analyst Adewale Adeoye also noted that autoplay video applications significantly increase background data usage, especially among younger demographics.
Investment Pressure on Operators
For telecom operators, surging data demand requires aggressive capital expenditure.
MTN disclosed that it invested N1 trillion in network capacity expansion in 2025 — more than double its previous year’s capex.
Airtel Nigeria CEO Dinesh Balsingh confirmed accelerated fibre infrastructure deployment nationwide, targeting both urban hubs and underserved communities.
Industry analysts note that sustained network investment will determine competitive positioning in 2026 as data consumption continues to scale.
Regulatory Backdrop
On January 20, 2025, the NCC approved a 50% tariff adjustment covering voice, data, and SMS services.
The average cost of 1GB increased from N287.50 to N431.25, though advertised retail rates currently average around N587.50.
This marked the first major pricing review in over a decade, as operators cited inflationary pressures, forex volatility, and rising energy costs.
Bottom Line
The 2025 financial results confirm a structural digital transformation in Nigeria’s telecom sector.
As The Business Bureau analysis shows, data is no longer supplementary — it is the core engine of telecom profitability.
If current consumption trends persist, 2026 may see further revenue expansion — but only if infrastructure investments keep pace with demand.