News Highlights
- ALTON commended the Federal Government’s 50% tariff increase approved in 2025
- The association called for a more comprehensive telecom investment-tracking framework
The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has called for the development of a more comprehensive framework for tracking investments in the telecommunications sector, saying current capital importation data does not fully reflect the level of investment being deployed by operators.
The association made the call while reacting to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) Q1 2026 Capital Importation Report, which showed a decline in foreign capital inflows into the telecommunications sector from $80.78 million in 2025 to $7.24 million in the first quarter of 2026.
In a statement jointly signed by ALTON Chairman, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, Publicity Secretary, Mr Damian Udeh, the association commended the NBS for its efforts in tracking investment flows across key sectors of the economy, but stressed the need for a broader assessment of investments within the telecom industry.
According to ALTON, while foreign capital inflows have declined, telecommunications operators continue to make substantial investments in network infrastructure, technology upgrades and operational expansion through domestic funding sources and reinvested earnings.
The association also expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for the 50 per cent tariff increase approved in 2025, describing the policy as a critical intervention that helped stabilise the sector during a difficult period.
ALTON said the tariff adjustment addressed revenue sustainability challenges, restored operational viability and enabled operators to shift from financial distress to a growth-oriented model characterised by increased capital reinvestment.
“The timely intervention enabled operators to transition from financial distress to a sustainable, growth-focused model characterised by significant capital reinvestment,” the statement noted.
Providing insight into the sector’s investment profile, ALTON disclosed that Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), tower companies and other industry players invested a total of ₦2.13 trillion in capital expenditure (CAPEX) in 2025. It added that operators have earmarked another ₦1.86 trillion for capital projects in 2026.
The planned investments, according to the association, will support network expansion, technology enhancement and other critical infrastructure projects aimed at improving service quality and coverage nationwide.
ALTON argued that the disparity between reported foreign capital inflows and actual capital expenditure points to a gap in the way sectoral investments are currently measured and reported.
It noted that a significant portion of telecom sector investments now comes from domestic capital sources and reinvested operational earnings, which may not be adequately captured under existing foreign capital importation metrics.
To address this challenge, the association proposed a collaborative engagement involving the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to develop a more inclusive investment-tracking framework.
According to ALTON, a transparent and comprehensive investment reporting system would provide a more accurate picture of the sector’s contribution to the economy, strengthen investor confidence and enhance Nigeria’s attractiveness as a destination for telecommunications investment.
The association reaffirmed its commitment to working with regulators and government agencies to ensure the sector’s contributions to national development are properly documented and recognised.
ALTON also assured Nigerians that telecommunications operators remain committed to continuous investments in network expansion, modernisation, resilience and service quality improvement.
It added that sustained collaboration among government, regulators and industry stakeholders would ensure uninterrupted access to digital services that drive economic growth, innovation, financial inclusion and national development.