A Nigerian telecommunication company, Mafab Communications, recently obtained a 5G license and is set to commence operations by the end of Q1 2025. This marks the company’s first foray into offering commercial 5G services, following a three-year entry into the 5G market.
Mafab will kick off its 5G services with 102 operational sites in Kano and Abuja, requiring subscribers to purchase routers for network connectivity. The company is working in partnership with multiple vendors to gradually develop these sites.
Mafab Communications acquired its 5G license simultaneously with MTN but faced deployment delays due to insufficient telecom infrastructure. The company’s rollout was further delayed as it awaited the Unified Access Service License (UASL) and numbering plan until July 2022. Consequently, Mafab sought an extension from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), pushing its launch deadline to January 2023.
Following a launch event in January 2023, Mafab began promoting the sale of 5G routers on its website. However, buyers encountered difficulties activating the service, leading to the suspension of router sales as the company focuses on completing its infrastructure expansion.
Despite being a newcomer in Nigeria’s evolving 5G market, Mafab is striving to catch up with competitors like MTN and Airtel, particularly in Lagos, the country’s commercial hub with a high concentration of subscribers. While Mafab is working on its Lagos sites, no official announcement has been made regarding the commencement of services there.
The foreign exchange (FX) fluctuations have posed a significant challenge for Mafab, increasing rollout costs beyond initial projections, according to COO Adedayo Onigbanjo.
Since the commercial launch of 5G in Nigeria in August 2022, led by MTN Nigeria, the market has been steadily growing. By October 2024, 5G accounted for 2.33% of the country’s internet subscribers, with MTN Nigeria holding 79% market share, and Airtel Africa claiming around 20%. Mafab’s planned rollout in Q1 is anticipated to further drive adoption, especially in cities beyond Lagos and Abuja. The company’s focus is on enhancing its infrastructure and expanding coverage in Kano and Abuja to facilitate broader 5G accessibility.