MTN, 9mobile roaming partnership takes effect next week

MTN Nigeria and Emerging Market Communications Company (9mobile) have said their national roaming partnership which affords both of them to share their radio infrastructure will take effect next week.  The two telecommunications operators announced this at a joint press conference in Lagos, saying they went into the partnership to boost their networks and give their […]

MTN Nigeria and Emerging Market Communications Company (9mobile) have said their national roaming partnership which affords both of them to share their radio infrastructure will take effect next week. 

The two telecommunications operators announced this at a joint press conference in Lagos, saying they went into the partnership to boost their networks and give their customers quality service. 

Speaking at the press conference, the Chief Executive Officer of 9mobile, Mr Femi Bamigbe said roaming partnership would be for three years and it’s expected to benefit both parties and their customers. 

Bamigbe said by the agreement, 9mobile would be able to deploy its network in areas where its coverage does not reach leveraging on MTN infrastructure in those areas. 

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The 9mobile CEO said MTN would also leverage on 9mobile infrastructure to serve its customers where its infrastructure doesn’t cover. 

“It is a commercial partnership. It is a win-win for both parties. It is not a freeloader, both of us are paying for services we render for each other”, he said. 

He said the agreement would run for three years during which it’s expected that 9mobile would have grown its customers’ base by then. 

He also said the operators were in it for a long run and it’s expected to improve telecommunications in the country. 

In his address, the CEO of MTN, Karl Toriola said the company was committed to this national roaming partnership because it would help boost the country’s economy. 

Toriola, who was represented by MTN’s Chief Enterprises Officer, Linda Saint-Nwafor, added that the partnership was the first in the country and entire West, East and Central Africa. 

The MTN boss clarified that the partnership was not a porting arrangement as both parties would still retain their customers on their networks. 

He said it also marks a major shift in the competitive dynamics of Nigeria’s telecoms sector, where infrastructure sharing has long been discussed but rarely implemented at this scale.

“This agreement represents a significant step in our commitment to driving industry collaboration, improving customer experience, and supporting the NCC’s vision of a fully connected Nigeria,” said MTN Nigeria CEO.

Daily Trust reports that 9mobile customers have long complained of persistent network failures, prompting many to abandon the service and switch to rival providers.

As of January 2025, the company’s active subscriber base had plunged to 3.2 million, according to data from the NCC, a steep fall from over 22 million at its peak in 2016.