Mafab Communications has once again missed its promised Q1 2025 deadline to roll out 5G services in Nigeria, despite earlier pledges to go live in Kano and Abuja. With zero operational sites out of the planned 102, the telecom operator continues a pattern of missed targets since acquiring a $273 million 5G license in 2021.
This delay leaves MTN and Airtel as the only active players in Nigeria’s 5G space and further stalls the government’s broadband expansion goals. Industry experts cite lack of funding, high infrastructure costs, and regulatory pressure as key challenges facing Mafab. The NCC had issued an ultimatum in December 2024, and the company now risks potential sanctions or even losing its license.
For now, hopes for a competitive 5G market seem dim, as Mafab struggles to gain ground and skepticism around its capacity grows stronger.
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