Nigeria’s Telecom Sector Achieves 5.78% Growth in Q3 2025 Amid Economic Challenges
Nigeria’s telecommunications industry posted a real growth rate of 5.78% in the third quarter of 2025, according to the latest data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). While slightly lower than the 6.1% growth seen in Q2, the performance underscores the sector’s resilience and continued importance as a backbone of the Nigerian economy, even as other industries struggle with macroeconomic pressures.
The sustained growth has been fueled by rising demand for mobile voice, data services, and broadband connectivity nationwide. Investments by telecom operators in network expansion, fibre-optic deployment, and 5G readiness have cushioned the sector against broader economic slowdowns, enabling it to maintain momentum despite seasonal dips and rising operational costs.
NBS data reveals that mobile subscribers now exceed 220 million, with smartphone penetration growing steadily in urban and rural areas alike. Internet services have become a major driver of growth, supporting fintech, e-commerce, streaming platforms, and digital media sectors that rely on reliable connectivity. Telecommunications alone contributed over 80% of the ICT sector’s output, highlighting its pivotal role in Nigeria’s digital transformation.
In terms of economic impact, the telecom industry accounted for approximately 9.1% of Nigeria’s GDP in Q3 2025, ranking third behind agriculture and trade. Despite challenges such as rising energy costs, foreign exchange scarcity, and inflation, telecom operators continue to expand services. The rollout of 5G networks and long-term fibre investments are enhancing data speeds and enabling corporate adoption of cloud services, AI tools, and automation.
Looking ahead, analysts expect a strong Q4 2025 performance, driven by festive spending, promotional data packages, and continued enterprise activity. Strategic investments in fibre, data centres, and 5G are expected to sustain growth into 2026, positioning the Nigerian telecom sector as a central pillar of the country’s digital economy and a key enabler of economic resilience, job creation, and technological innovation.
source: Leadership