MTN, Airtel cash in as users spent N2.53tn on calls and data in just six months
Subscribers on MTN and Airtel networks have reportedly spent a whopping sum of N2.53 trillion on voice and data services in the first half of 2025, reflecting a 50.9% increase from the N1.68 trillion recorded during the same period in 2024.
According to newly released half-year financial results, MTN Nigeria accounted for the bulk of the revenue, generating N2.12 trillion from data and voice services between January and June 2025 — a 55.7% jump from N1.36 trillion in the same period last year.
MTN’s data revenue soared by 69.2% to N1.23 trillion, while voice revenue climbed 40.3% to N887.13 billion.
The company attributed this growth to strong consumer demand, strategic price adjustments, and a rising base of active data users.
MTN reported that its active data subscribers rose 11.8% to 51 million, while its total mobile user base grew to 84.7 million, up 6.7%.
Average monthly data usage per user rose to 13.2GB, thanks to a 62.6% smartphone penetration rate and a 41.2% increase in data traffic.
With service revenues boosted by revised pricing plans, MTN turned around its financial performance, posting a profit of N414.9 billion in H1 2025 — a sharp contrast to the N519.1 billion loss it recorded in H1 2024. Its EBITDA more than doubled to N1.2 trillion, with a margin of 50.6%.
The telco has since revised its full-year outlook, projecting at least 50% growth in both service revenue and EBITDA margin.
Meanwhile, Airtel Nigeria reported a total of $298 million (approximately N412.43 billion) in voice and data revenue for the first half of the year, marking a 30.1% increase over the N316.94 billion posted in H1 2024.
Airtel’s data revenue rose by 40.2% to $164 million (N226.98 billion), while voice revenue increased by 19.1% to $134 million (N185.46 billion). The company’s customer base grew to 53.6 million, with data subscribers rising by 11.3% to 29.3 million.
Average monthly data usage rose to 9.3GB per subscriber, up from 7.3GB in the previous year, while smartphone penetration reached 51.4%.
Airtel’s EBITDA climbed 49.9% to $185 million, and the EBITDA margin improved to 55.7%, helped by efficient cost controls and strong service uptake.
Despite previous currency devaluation challenges, Airtel reported improved financial health and stronger cash flows in 2025.
Both companies cited improved macroeconomic conditions in Nigeria, with inflation easing to 22.2% by June and the naira stabilising around N1,530/$, helping with financial planning and investment.
MTN also launched the first phase of its US$240 million Dabengwa Tier III Data Centre in July, which is set to become the largest in West Africa. The facility is expected to provide top-tier infrastructure for digital transformation and cloud services.
Karl Toriola, CEO of MTN Nigeria, commented:
“We maintained strong commercial momentum in H1 2025 through disciplined execution, targeted customer engagement and network investments… Active data users rose by 3.3 million in H1, driving a 41.2% year-on-year increase in data traffic.”
On the other hand, Airtel Africa partnered with SpaceX’s Starlink to deliver satellite broadband services across remote parts of Africa, including Nigeria.
The partnership aims to improve connectivity in underserved areas such as schools, clinics, and rural communities.
Airtel noted that Starlink has secured licenses in 9 out of 14 African countries within its footprint, with the rest in progress.
