Airtel to double capital investment in drive to expand digital infrastructure

Airtel Nigeria says it is doubling its capital investment to boost digital inclusion, expand rural connectivity, and deliver enhanced service quality to Nigerians.

In a statement on Thursday, Airtel said the move is an unprecedented commitment to the Nigerian market and a critical step toward deepening the nation’s digital transformation.

The telecoms giant said the investment would cover infrastructure upgrades, rural network expansion, 5G deployment, customer experience improvements, and social impact projects.

Speaking on the investment, Dinesh Balsingh, chief executive officer (CEO) of Airtel Nigeria, said the decision reflects the company’s long-term commitment to the country.

“Our decision to double our investment reflects our deep commitment to Nigeria’s future,” Balsingh said.

“As a company that views Nigeria as home, we are investing in transformative infrastructure that will deliver unmatched value to our customers and make connectivity an everyday reality for more Nigerians.

“This is not just about technology; it’s about empowerment and making a positive difference in people’s lives.”

‘5G ROLLOUT ACCELERATED, FIBRE RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE BUILT’

Highlighting its investment strategy, the company said it has accelerated the rollout of 5G technology across its sites nationwide, installed high-capacity radios, and built extensive fibre infrastructure.

“Airtel is rapidly rolling out 5G technology on its sites nationwide, enabling ultra-fast data speeds and enhanced service quality,” the telco said.

“Additional sites are being established to deepen network reach, particularly in underserved rural areas, ensuring that more Nigerians benefit from reliable mobile connectivity.

“Upgrades at existing sites include the installation of high-capacity radios to accommodate growing data consumption. Airtel is deploying additional fibre networks while also relocating existing fibre lines to optimise connectivity.

“Investments include equipping data centers to leverage the 2Africa cable landing stations and international bandwidth, significantly boosting data throughput.

“Airtel is building a new, state-of-the-art data center to support its growing customer base and enhance data management capabilities. New shops and outlets are being built nationwide to improve customer access and service delivery.

“Airtel is introducing cutting edge terminals and devices to enable customers access data services, including home broadband.”

The company also highlighted new innovations to improve customer safety and satisfaction, including its AI-powered apam alert service, which flags potentially malicious SMS messages in real time.

It said upgraded call centre capacities and more innovative self-service platforms allow subscribers to access personalised mobile packages easily and manage services.

Beyond network expansion, Airtel reaffirmed its commitment to social impact programmes, including its partnership with UNICEF on the reimagine education initiative, which has connected over 1,200 public primary schools to digital learning tools like the Nigeria Learning Passport.

The company said it also recently donated N1 billion to the federal government’s 3 million technical talents (3MTT) programme to build a digital workforce for local and international markets.

The telecoms firm said the expanded investments would stimulate economic growth by creating jobs, supporting entrepreneurship, and strengthening digital infrastructure across the country.