Airtel Africa plc has confirmed that its Nigerian operating subsidiary, Airtel Nigeria, has secured regulatory approval from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for the renewal of it
Airtel Africa plc has confirmed that its Nigerian operating subsidiary, Airtel Nigeria, has secured regulatory approval from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for the renewal of its 900MHz spectrum licence.
The development was revealed in Airtel’s Q2 2026 financial statement released on Thursday. The company noted that the confirmation of the terms was received from the communications regulator on April 15, 2026.
Under the agreement, the 900MHz spectrum renewal fee has been set at $37 million, with payment to be made in naira of ₦50.5 billion at an exchange rate of ₦1,365/$1.
In addition, the renewed operating licence will be valid for 10 years, commencing officially upon the expiration of the previous licence term. While the current one signed in February 2021 runs from December 1, 2021, until November 30, 2031, the newly confirmed agreement will be immediately implemented from December 1, 2031, to November 30, 2041.
Airtel The 900MHz spectrum remains a crucial asset for Nigerian telecommunications operators, enabling signals to cover wider geographic areas and penetrate deep inside buildings. It comes amid the ambition to expand coverage nationwide, especially in underserved communities.
The Nigerian government, regulators and industry are focused on bridging the digital divide and expanding broadband capability in the country.
Also Read: Airtel Nigeria generates ₦3,290 per customer from data and voice services in Q2 2026.
Why Airtel Nigeria is signing the deal nowFor Airtel Nigeria, securing this spectrum extension for another decade ensures network stability, continuous coverage for its subscriber base, and uninterrupted service delivery across urban and rural regions. This is a primary goal of every telecom operator.
The agreement to settle the $37 million fee in local currency also offers a strategic shock absorber against foreign exchange volatility. Signing the deal now eases immediate demand for dollars amid broader macroeconomic adjustments in the country.
With the 10-year licence renewal now confirmed, Airtel Nigeria is consolidating its long-term operational foundation in Africa’s largest telecom market. For the sake of its expansion in the Nigerian market, it paves the way for continued investments in voice and data infrastructure.
The licence extension comes alongside key financial and corporate updates across the company.
In its financial statement for Q2 2026, Airtel Nigeria reported total revenue of ₦689.87 billion, driven by data revenue. The amount represents a 50.4% year-on-year (YoY) increase in reported currency from ₦459 billion ($333 million) a year ago.
Airtel Nigeria’s revenue represents 27.03% of the group’s total revenue across its 14 African markets, further strengthening Nigeria as the group’s leading market in Africa.
The company also noted that smartphone penetration increased by 4.6% to reach 56.1%. Also, smartphone data usage per customer now stood at 14.9 gigabytes (GB) per month, compared to 11.8 GB per month a year ago.
Airtel Africa is also on the verge of listing its mobile money operation, Airtel Money. Set for its initial public offering (IPO) in the second half of the year, the company has identified London as its preferred listing venue, after a shift from the Middle East due to political escalations.
In the second quarter of the year, Airtel Money processed transactions worth $61.4 billion, while total revenue for the quarter stood at $404 million, representing a 38.9% YoY increase.
