Airtel Nigeria is expanding its retail presence across the country as competition for mobile subscribers intensifies and demand for digital services continues to grow.
The telecom operator said it has increased its network of customer touchpoints to more than 200,000 and now operates over 4,000 exclusive retail shops nationwide. The expansion is aimed at improving access to services such as SIM registration, airtime and data purchases, device sales, and customer support. It will make it easier for customers to access services such as SIM registration, airtime and data purchases, device sales, customer support and other digital offerings through a network of partner stores, neighbourhood agents and channel partners.
The move comes as Nigeria’s telecommunications industry continues to grow, driven by increasing mobile subscriptions, higher data consumption and sustained investments in network infrastructure.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the telecommunications and information services sector contributed ₦18.47 trillion ($13.4 billion) to Nigeria’s real gross domestic product (GDP) in 2025, accounting for 8.34% of the economy. It ranked as the country’s fourth-largest contributor to GDP during the year, highlighting the sector’s growing importance to economic activity.
Consumer demand for connectivity also continues to rise. Data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) shows that active mobile subscriptions reached 188 million in April 2026, while broadband subscriptions surpassed 120 million for the first time.
Airtel remains Nigeria’s second-largest mobile network operator, serving 64.7 million subscribers as of April 2026, representing about 34.4% of the market.
“Telecommunications goes beyond physical infrastructure. It is important that we are able to reach people where they live and work,” Airtel Nigeria CEO Dinesh Balsingh said in a statement. “That is why we continue to invest in a strong retail and distribution ecosystem that brings Airtel closer to our customers while delivering a consistent, high-quality experience.”
The company’s Director of Sales and Distribution, Joypratip Sengupta, said the expanded retail network combines efficient logistics, strategic partnerships and local engagement to ensure customers can easily access Airtel’s services across the country.
“Our retail network is built to deliver our services efficiently. Through strong partnerships, reliable logistics and community engagement, we are able to meet the needs of customers across Nigeria,” Sengupta said.
The retail expansion is part of Airtel’s wider investment in network infrastructure. In April, the company disclosed that it had increased its network footprint from just over 13,000 sites to nearly 17,200 within three years, including the deployment of more than 1,500 new base stations in the past year to improve coverage and network capacity.
Beyond expanding customer access, Airtel said its retail ecosystem supports thousands of distributors, retailers and small business owners across Nigeria, creating income opportunities throughout its sales and service network.
The company said it plans to continue investing in network quality, customer service and digital innovation as demand for mobile connectivity and digital services continues to grow across the country.