….Five MVNOs onboarded as more operators queue for rollout
….NCC-backed framework boosts competition, digital inclusion
By Our Correspondent
LAGOS, May 4, 2026 — Nigeria’s telecommunications landscape is set for a significant shift as IMBIL Telecom Solutions Ltd has formalised a strategic commercial agreement with Airtel Nigeria, a move expected to accelerate the entry of new operators and deepen market competition.
The agreement positions IMBIL Telecom, regarded as the country’s pioneer Mobile Virtual Network Enabler/Aggregator (MVNE/A), at the centre of a growing ecosystem designed to lower barriers for emerging telecom service providers.
Announcing the development in Lagos on Monday, the company disclosed that it has already onboarded five Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs), with several others in advanced stages of integration ahead of their expected market launch in the coming months.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of IMBIL Telecom, Akeem Ogunkoya, described the partnership as a major milestone in Nigeria’s telecom evolution, noting that it creates a scalable platform for new entrants to compete effectively.
“As the pioneer MVNE/A in the Nigerian telecom market, our mission is to lower the barrier to entry for aspiring telecom operators,” Ogunkoya said. “Our partnership with Airtel Nigeria provides a solid foundation for MVNOs to thrive, leveraging world-class infrastructure and scalable technology.”
Industry analysts say the development could reshape Nigeria’s telecom value chain by enabling smaller, niche operators to enter the market without the heavy capital investment traditionally required for infrastructure deployment.
IMBIL’s MVNE/A platform provides a full suite of services, including core network infrastructure, billing systems, provisioning, regulatory compliance, and value-added services. This integrated offering allows MVNOs to focus on branding, customer acquisition, and innovative service delivery.
The company also credited the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for creating an enabling regulatory environment that supports MVNO growth, describing its framework as instrumental in driving fair competition and innovation.
Experts note that MVNOs—operators that lease network capacity from established telecom providers—have proven successful in other markets by delivering specialised and cost-effective services tailored to underserved segments.
With Nigeria’s rising demand for affordable and flexible telecom services, the IMBIL-Airtel collaboration is expected to expand access, particularly among small businesses, rural communities, and digitally underserved populations.
The partnership also aligns with broader efforts to enhance digital inclusion and increase connectivity across Africa’s most populous nation, where mobile penetration continues to grow but gaps in service affordability and accessibility remain.
By leveraging Airtel Nigeria’s infrastructure, IMBIL aims to provide a reliable backbone that ensures service quality while enabling rapid deployment for new operators entering the market.
The onboarding of five MVNOs marks an early success for the initiative, signalling strong investor and operator interest in Nigeria’s evolving telecom framework.
Stakeholders believe that as more MVNOs come on stream, consumers will benefit from improved service offerings, competitive pricing, and innovative digital products.
IMBIL Telecom reaffirmed its commitment to supporting startups, entrepreneurs, and established enterprises seeking entry into the telecom sector, emphasising its role as a catalyst for industry growth.
The company added that its adaptable commercial models and operational support systems are designed to ensure sustainability and scalability for partners.
The IMBIL-Airtel agreement is widely seen as a forward-looking collaboration that could define the next phase of telecom innovation in Nigeria.
As the sector continues to evolve, attention will be on how quickly new MVNOs can roll out services and how effectively they can differentiate themselves in an already competitive market.
For now, industry watchers say the partnership represents a bold step toward a more inclusive and dynamic telecom ecosystem in Nigeria.
