Airtel Becomes Second Largest Network in Africa

• Airtel Becomes Second Largest Network in Africa

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has revealed that Airtel is currently the second largest network in Africa, based on the analysis published on its website on Wednesday.

The telecoms network which was initially the third largest network in the continent achieved a milestone by moving one step further regaining its position of being the Second largest operator from Globacom in what may be described as a ‘counter swap’.

Analysis by the NCC showed that as at August 19, Airtel’s subscribers had increased to 46.8 million with a teledensity of 26.8 per cent while Globacom recorded 46.7 million subscribers with a teledensity of 26.7 per cent and

MTN leads with 65.4 million subscribers and a teledensity of 38 per cent; thus making MTN the number one telecommunications network in the continent.

Airtel, on the other hand, moved one step ahead of its third position to become the second-largest operator in Africa, with Globacom coming third.

On August 6, 2001, Airtel launched its commercial services in Nigeria and was the first telecoms operator to begin operations in the country. It later rose to the position of the second-largest telecoms operator until Globacom came along on August 29, 2003 to take over the spot of being the second-largest telecoms operator, a position it held before Airtel reclaimed it this August.

Speaking on the achievement, the Chief Executive Officer, Raghunath Mandava, said,” I am delighted to report that Airtel Africa has crossed the 100 million subscriber mark. This achievement is a testament to the hard work of our employees and a clear reflection that customers value our network, service offerings and customer experience.

“The positive momentum we have seen in customer acquisition further underpins our medium-term aspirations for revenue and profit growth. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the teams that have worked hard to get us here.”

Airtel Africa is a major telecommunications services provider with operations in 14 countries in Africa, primarily in East, Central and West Africa.