MTN Nigeria’s Potential 5G Expansion Through Mafab Acquisition

MTN Nigeria may expand its 5G capabilities by acquiring Mafab Communications, which secured a 5G license in the December 2021 auction. The company would have paid $273.6 million to obtain the license by February 2022, but industry observers suggest Mafab would not sell its license to another operator without fulfilling the payment condition.

MTN Nigeria possesses strong financial resources, a growing customer base, and extensive network infrastructure. These assets could accelerate 5G deployment if the company gains access to Mafab's spectrum and related assets. However, despite significant investments, 5G adoption in Nigeria remains low since MTN's commercial launch in September 2022.