(The Southern African Times) – As part of improving telecommunications services across the country, MTN Nigeria has announced an investment of over N600 billion in network infrastructure in the next three years.
This was disclosed by the chairman of MTN Nigeria, Ernest Ndukwe, during the 20th anniversary celebration of the teleco giant held in Lagos.
The Chairman of the largest network by market share, emphasized the firm’s commitment to specifically expand its rural connectivity to reach areas that were underserved across the country.
He said, “We plan to connect approximately 1000 rural communities to our network this year with an additional 2000 communities in 2022”.
“MTN Nigeria will be investing over N600 billion naira in the next three years on national infrastructure networks. “We are also committed to extend out rural infrastructure networks to areas under served and served.”
Ndukwe also expressed optimism about what the future holds for Nigeria’s digital economy and looked forward to building it together with all stakeholders.
Also speaking at the event, CEO MTN Nigeria, Karl Toriola, restated the firm’s planned participation in the restoration and rehabilitation of the Onitsha-Enugu expressway through the federal government’s road infrastructure tax credit (RITC) scheme.
Toriola said, “This is a response to government’s drive towards public-private partnership in the rehabilitation of critical road infrastructure in Nigeria”. “We’ve initiated plans for the construction of a purpose-built, state-of-the-art head office in Lagos.
“We will also be selling down 14 per cent of MTN shares to over two million Nigerian retail investors.”
He expressed appreciation to the government for its vision in liberalising the telecommunications sector and the robust framework developed by the regulators.
“We firmly believe that Nigeria’s digital journey is only just beginning and that the future is filled with promises,” he added.
“Working together, we can and will build the more prosperous and inclusive future we seek and empower even more Nigerian to do greater things”.
