NaijNaira
The year 2022 was a remarkable one for the telecoms industry in Nigeria, as revealed in the annual report published by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). The report highlighted the remarkable growth and impact of the industry on the nation’s economy.
With a total volume of data consumed by subscribers reaching a staggering 518,381.78 terabytes, it is evident that Nigerians are increasingly relying on telecommunications for their daily communication needs.
Breaking down the figures, Nigerians consumed an average of 1,420.2TB of data daily, showcasing the growing demand for internet services in the country.
This surge in data consumption has not only improved the quality of life for Nigerians but has also contributed significantly to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The telecoms industry played a pivotal role in driving Nigeria’s economic growth in 2022. According to the NCC’s report, the industry contributed 13.55% to the nation’s GDP in the fourth quarter of the year, a notable increase of 0.94% from the previous year.
This growth is a testament to the industry’s resilience and its ability to adapt to the changing needs of its subscribers.
The number of active subscribers also witnessed remarkable growth, with voice subscriptions increasing by over 13% from 195.5 million in 2021 to 222.6 million in 2022.
Internet subscribers also grew by 9.06% from 142 million to 154.8 million, highlighting the expanding access to digital services across the country.
Moreover, Nigeria’s teledensity reached an impressive 116.60%, indicating widespread connectivity, and broadband penetration surpassed 78 million, further bridging the digital divide.
Despite facing economic headwinds, the telecoms sector demonstrated its resilience and emerged as a key driver of Nigeria’s economic growth.
The ICT sector, along with agriculture and trade, contributed more than 50% to the nation’s GDP in the second quarter of 2023, as reported by The ICIR.
With a Nominal GDP growth rate of 18.83% and a Real GDP growth rate of 10.72% in 2022, the telecoms industry proved its ability to withstand challenges and sustain its upward trajectory.
However, it is important to note that capital inflow into the industry declined to $399.9 million in 2022, compared to $753.0 million in the previous year, necessitating the need for increased investment to unlock its full potential.
Examining the data further, the South West region demonstrated the highest number of active subscribers with 63.8 million, followed by the North Central and North West regions with 42.6 million and 40.8 million subscribers, respectively.
The South-South region accounted for 32.6 million subscribers, while the North East and South East regions had the lowest number of subscribers at 21.4 million each.
Additionally, in compliance with the SIM card registration exercise mandated by the NCC, mobile operators registered a total of 301,283,030 subscribers in Nigeria as of December 2022.
The report also highlighted the enormous volume of voice and SMS traffic, with MTN leading the way with the highest outgoing and incoming traffic.
The remarkable growth in telecom subscribers has not only transformed communication but has also facilitated the registration of more Nigerians to obtain their National Identification Number (NIN).
The telecoms industry in Nigeria has undoubtedly become a catalyst for economic growth, driving innovation, connectivity, and socio-economic development.
With continuous investment and collaboration between the public and private sectors, the industry’s potential is limitless.
