MTN Group plans to connect between 20 million and 30 million homes across Africa over the next five years, aiming to capitalise on growing demand for reliable home internet. Chief Executive Ralph Mupita said the company sees a major shift as digital activity moves from mobile-only usage toward households and small businesses requiring stable broadband access.
The expansion forms part of MTN’s strategic focus on three growth platforms: connectivity, fintech, and digital infrastructure. Mupita noted that in Nigeria alone, the company added over 281,000 home broadband users in the third quarter of 2025, with total fibre investment reaching approximately ₦1 trillion ($715 million). The move reflects a broader industry trend, as telecom operators increasingly view household broadband as the next frontier for growth beyond mobile networks.
MTN plans to deploy a mix of technologies, including fibre-to-the-home and fixed wireless access, depending on local network capacity and economic viability. Fixed wireless enables broadband delivery over existing mobile infrastructure, offering faster deployment at lower costs, while fibre provides higher speeds but demands larger upfront investment. Mupita emphasised that the company will adopt a technology-agnostic approach, choosing whichever solution provides the best customer experience and financial returns.
The home broadband push is linked to MTN’s ambition to increase data consumption and digital engagement across its customer base. Currently, average data use per subscriber is just over 12 gigabytes monthly, well below markets such as India. Expanding broadband is expected to boost demand for streaming, education platforms, gaming, and other digital services, while also supporting small and medium-sized enterprises with digital tools for payments, inventory, and customer communication.
MTN’s broader strategy also includes expansion of its fintech ecosystem, investment in digital infrastructure, and the proposed acquisition of IHS Towers, valued at $2.2 billion, which would strengthen its control over network infrastructure. Mupita highlighted the role of artificial intelligence in optimising networks and services, comparing its transformative potential in Africa to the impact of mobile phones on the continent’s development.