Airtel Nigeria has outlined ambitious plans to scale its network, retail presence and security infrastructure in 2026 as part of efforts to strengthen connectivity, improve service resilience, and stay ahead of a volatile economic environment.
Speaking at a media roundtable in Lagos, Mr. Dinesh Balsingh, Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Nigeria, said the company intends to expand its network footprint, deploy innovative solutions, and bring services closer to Nigerians across urban and rural communities.
Balsingh revealed that between December 2023 and early 2025, Airtel increased its network sites from roughly 15,000 to 17,000, a growth of about 15 per cent, and plans to repeat this expansion in 2026. The investments are targeted at deep rural communities, small towns, and city outskirts, ensuring wider access to digital services nationwide.
“Connectivity should not be limited by geography,” Balsingh said. “Everyone has the right to digital access, including those in remote areas.”
To extend reach, Airtel has deployed satellite technology in locations where terrestrial fibre deployment is impractical, including communities in Adamawa State and other parts of northern Nigeria, now connected via Starlink-powered satellite links.
The company has also upgraded capacity on about 25 per cent of its existing sites in 2025, deploying higher-capacity radios and migrating backhaul from microwave to fibre. As a result, 99.99 per cent of Airtel’s sites are now 4G-enabled, while spectrum capacity has increased by about 20 per cent to meet rising data demand.
On 5G, Balsingh said Airtel has more than doubled its sites in recent months, with plans to migrate 25 per cent of its network in the top 20 cities to 5G over time. Additionally, the company is expanding its fibre backbone by 25 per cent and planning a second internet breakout point from southern Nigeria to enhance national network resilience.
Beyond connectivity, Airtel is strengthening its retail footprint, currently operating over 200 retail outlets in major cities such as Lagos, Abuja, Ibadan, and parts of eastern Nigeria, with plans to expand further. “Our retail expansion ensures Airtel is physically closer to customers, providing easier access to support, SIM solutions, and digital products,” Balsingh said.
In a bid to protect its infrastructure, Airtel is funding dedicated patrol teams to monitor fibre routes and prevent vandalism and theft. The CEO said the company collaborates with partners managing major road corridors, uses automation to detect faults instantly, and builds multiple fibre paths to minimise service disruption.
“Our strategy is never to rely on a single route. If there are two paths, we invest in a third. In volatile corridors, we may have five or six alternatives,” Balsingh explained.
The approach reflects Airtel’s broader focus on innovation, expanding into new operational areas, and adopting proactive measures to remain competitive in a challenging economic landscape.
He also highlighted Airtel’s investments in artificial intelligence and data centre capabilities, including a hyperscaler-ready facility to support advanced analytics, network automation, and consumer protection services.
Despite challenges such as fibre cuts, vandalism, and infrastructure damage, Balsingh said Airtel remains committed to sustained investment. “2026 will be another massive year for network, retail, and digital infrastructure development in Nigeria,” he said.
The media roundtable was attended by other senior Airtel executives, who provided further insights into the company’s customer experience strategy, network security, and growth roadmap.