Nigeria's Telecom Sector Grows 10.38% in Q2 2026

In the second quarter of 2026, Nigeria's telecommunications and information services sector generated N5.20 trillion in real economic output, marking a 10.38% year-on-year growth, as reported by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). This growth outpaced the overall economy's real GDP growth of 4.43% for the same period.

The sector's contribution to real GDP rose to 9.72%, up from 9.20% in Q2 2025. In nominal terms, the Information and Communication sector generated N14.64 trillion, representing 12.27% of aggregate nominal GDP, an increase from N10.07 trillion the previous year.

MTN Nigeria reported N1.09 trillion in profits before tax for the first half of 2026, a 75.4% increase year-on-year, attributed to stronger data demand and improved efficiency. Airtel Nigeria also saw significant growth, with $501 million in revenue, a 50.4% increase, driven by a 59.9% rise in data revenue.

The sector's expansion reflects the increasing reliance of Nigerians on digital connectivity, with daily data consumption reaching approximately 45,800 terabytes.