MTN Nigeria Extends Its Lead in Nigeria’s Rural Connectivity Drive
The operator’s ongoing investment in rural expansion aligns with the NCC’s national broadband targets and the government’s broader push to ensure no community is left behind in the digital economy.
According to a new report released by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC ) in partnership with network analytics firm Ookla , Nigeria’s mobile connectivity landscape is showing steady progress, with rural areas recording noticeable improvements in download speeds. The report , titled “The Great Divide: Urban vs. Rural Speeds,” provides a comprehensive analysis of how Nigerians experience mobile broadband across different regions and sheds light on the country’s ongoing efforts to close the digital gap.
The study found that while urban areas continue to enjoy faster speeds, rural connectivity is catching up at an encouraging rate. Median download speeds in rural communities nearly doubled this year, climbing from 7.5 Mbps in January to 15 Mbps by September 2025. However, the performance gap between rural and urban networks has remained consistent, averaging between 5 and 6 Mbps.
This performance pattern, the report notes, reflects the layered structure of Nigeria’s mobile ecosystem. LTE (4G) continues to serve as the country’s connectivity backbone, providing stable and dependable service nationwide. In comparison, 5G remains a niche technology concentrated in urban centers, offering impressive speeds ranging from 180 to 220 Mbps but without major latency improvements over LTE.
MTN Nigeria continues to lead the market in extending broadband access to underserved areas, leveraging its extensive LTE infrastructure to support both urban and rural users. The operator’s ongoing investment in rural expansion aligns with the NCC’s national broadband targets and the government’s broader push to ensure no community is left behind in the digital economy.
Industry analysts interpret the findings as a sign that Nigeria’s connectivity strategy is evolving from a focus on coverage to one centered on quality of experience. While rural users can now stream, browse, and communicate more effectively than before, the report also highlights persistent upload bottlenecks that limit more advanced digital activities such as cloud collaboration and digital entrepreneurship.
In response, the NCC reiterated its commitment to equitable connectivity, emphasizing plans to attract private investment in rural broadband projects and to accelerate the transition from 3G to more efficient 4G and 5G networks.
The report concludes that Nigeria’s connectivity landscape is moving in the right direction. Rural areas are experiencing measurable progress, urban networks continue to evolve, and the combined momentum is shaping a more inclusive digital future.
