MTN Nigeria's Data Dominance

The telecoms giant, MTN Nigeria, has unveiled its unaudited financial statements for the six months ended June 30, 2026. According to the figures, Nigerians spent a whopping ₦1.7tn on data services during this period. This is a significant increase from the ₦1.229tn recorded in the corresponding period of 2025, representing a rise of about 38.3 per cent.

MTN Nigeria attributes this growth to sustained demand for internet connectivity, which has remained resilient despite economic pressures. The company's data revenue comprises income from mobile data, fixed broadband, and data bundles, excluding roaming data, which is reported under interconnect and roaming revenue.

The Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, Karl Toriola, said the company maintained strong commercial momentum in the first half of 2026. He added that demand for the company's services remained resilient despite macroeconomic headwinds. Toriola noted that the company delivered a strong first-half performance, with sustained commercial momentum, improved profitability, and robust cash generation.

MTN Nigeria's total revenue climbed to ₦2.99tn compared to ₦2.38tn in the first half of 2025. The company also added 4.9 million new subscribers during the period, increasing its customer base to 92.2 million. Active data users grew by 2.5 million to 55.7 million.

Revenue Breakdown

MTN Nigeria's revenue breakdown reveals that data services remain its largest revenue stream, ahead of voice services, which generated ₦897.14bn. SMS contributed ₦112.68bn during the period. Other revenue streams included digital services, which generated ₦58.66bn, value-added services at ₦77.06bn, handset and accessories sales of ₦11.03bn, interconnect and roaming revenue of ₦112.20bn, and other revenue of ₦23.90bn.

Financial Performance

MTN Nigeria's improved financial performance is attributed to a more stable foreign exchange environment. The naira strengthened and remained relatively stable during the first half of the year, closing at about ₦1,380/$ compared with ₦1,530/$ in the corresponding period of 2025. This stability helped MTN Nigeria record a foreign exchange gain of ₦36.4bn, compared with a foreign exchange loss of ₦5.2bn in the same period last year.

The company also eliminated all outstanding foreign currency loans, reducing its exposure to exchange rate volatility. MTN Nigeria generated ₦1.55tn in operating cash flows during the period and said it had sufficient resources to meet its financial obligations over the next 12 months.

We delivered a strong first-half performance, with sustained commercial momentum, improved profitability, and robust cash generation. Demand for our services remains resilient, despite macroeconomic headwinds.

Karl Toriola, Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria.

Key Facts

  • Nigerians spent ₦1.7tn on MTN data services in H1 2026.
  • Data revenue rose to ₦1.699tn, up from ₦1.229tn in H1 2025.
  • MTN Nigeria added 4.9 million new subscribers, increasing its customer base to 92.2 million.
  • Active data users grew by 2.5 million to 55.7 million.
  • MTN Nigeria generated ₦1.55tn in operating cash flows during the period.