Nigeria’s MNOs operating costs rise 85% to N5.85 trillion in 2024
Nigerian telecommunications companies experienced a dramatic surge in operational expenses as costs climbed to 5.85 trillion naira from 3.16 trillion naira, representing an 85 percent annual increase, according to Nigerian Communications Commission data. Network operators attributed the escalation to elevated right-of-way charges, challenging macroeconomic conditions and persistent inflation, though regulators secured fee waivers in several states.
Capital spending reached approximately 2.9 trillion naira compared with 1.12 trillion naira previously, marking a 159 percent rise driven by exchange rate consolidation and currency depreciation affecting imported network equipment. Revenue generation totaled 7.67 trillion naira against 5.3 trillion naira, reflecting 44.7 percent growth, while foreign capital inflows expanded to around $457 million from $134.75 million.
The telecommunications sector’s contribution to gross domestic product increased from 14 percent to 14.4 percent, showing 2.86 percent annual expansion as the National Bureau of Statistics works to better quantify digital economy impact within information and communication measurements.
