Its ability to compete in an industry already led by MTN and Airtel is now in doubt.

The company had promised to go live in Kano and Abuja by the end of the first quarter of 2025, but as of now, not a single operational site has been deployed.

This delay is just the latest in a series of missed targets. Since securing its $273 million 5G licence in 2021, Mafab has struggled to roll out its network. The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) initially granted it a five-month extension in 2022 due to licensing issues, but nearly two years later, 5G services remain absent. Even its much-publicised launch events in January 2023 produced no tangible service delivery.

The NCC is losing patience. In December 2024, the regulator’s Executive Vice Chairman, Aminu Maida, reportedly summoned Mafab’s executives and gave them a clear warning to deploy soon or face consequences. However, despite these ultimatums, nothing has changed.

Industry experts point to financing as a major challenge. “They have not been able to raise the funds required for the deployment,” said Rotimi Akapo, partner and head of Telecommunication, Media and Technology (TMT) at Advocaat Law Practice. “Most of the equipment will have to be imported, and it’s very capital-intensive.”

Deploying a basic 5G network in Nigeria is an expensive task. Estimates suggest that setting up 102 base stations—Mafab’s initial plan—could cost around $122 million. In contrast, telecom operators in China pay significantly less due to domestic manufacturing advantages. 

To move forward, Mafab must either lease infrastructure from existing providers like IHS Towers or American Tower Corporation, or build its own, both of which require substantial investment.

The company had initially planned to focus on underserved markets like Kano and Abuja to avoid direct competition with MTN and Airtel. However, this strategy may no longer be viable. “Mafab is supposed to be launched here, but it hasn’t,” said Abdulrasheed Hussain, Digital Media Manager at Premier Radio Kano. “So far, we have MTN and Airtel 5G routers in Kano.”

A shift toward fixed wireless broadband, which provides high-speed internet to homes and businesses rather than mobile users, could be an alternative. MTN and Airtel already use this model to expand coverage. However, even this approach demands heavy investment in fibre networks and backhaul infrastructure.

Per TechCabal, an investment analyst familiar with the sector, who preferred to remain anonymous, highlighted two key challenges Mafab faces. “First, investors are hesitant to back an unproven company with no track record. Second, Nigeria’s forex crisis makes it difficult for foreign investors to bring in capital. Domestic investors alone may not be able to fund this scale of investment.”

With each passing delay, Mafab risks becoming irrelevant in Nigeria’s 5G industry. The NCC could eventually revoke its licence if the company fails to deliver. Meanwhile, MTN and Airtel continue expanding their networks, further entrenching their lead.

The question now is whether Mafab can secure the funding and infrastructure it needs to finally roll out services—or if its 5G vision will remain just that, ambitions.

In other words, Mafab has prepared grounds for commercial launch after which the subscriber identity module (SIM Card) and the Customer premises equipment (CPE) popularly referred to ‘router’, would be made available in the first six cities.

In his speech at the occasion held at Abuja International Conference Centre (ICC) on 24 January, 2023, Dr. Mushabu Bashir, Chairman/Founder, MAFAB Communications, that it was a long walk “to where we are today, and we owe it all to God especially, when it appeared difficult”.

“By this launch today (Tuesday), Nigeria through Mafab 5G has, therefore, added a new chapter in its journey towards a brighter and stronger future filled with hope and prospect.

“This launch of MAFAB 5G network is the beginning of immense opportunities for the country and it represents Nigeria’s capabilities and infinite possibilities”.

Putting things in proper perspective, Dr. Bashir said:

“What we are doing today (sic) will play a major role in advancing new solutions that will push Nigeria from not just being a consumer of technology but will put the country on the pedestal of playing an active role in advancing and implementing new technologies and also enable our country not just be a technology hub in Africa but the world at large.

“You may have heard it before, but it bears re-telling that the 5G network will usher into this country a wide array of business opportunities, wherein various business outfits will expand their frontiers with operational ease and speed, especially in the fields of education, medical sciences, engineering, security, financial services, SMEs, smart cities, transportation and entertainment amongst many.

“It will not benefit only urban areas but also meet our long-term goal of ensuring connectivity in rural areas and villages and enable them also enjoy benefits of this amazing technology.

“It is no secret that the countries that are able to provide their citizens with the latest network infrastructure which the 5G technology represents, will also be the ones that thrive in the coming years. They will be the ones that will stay competitive and the ones who will lead in innovation in addition to bringing socioeconomic benefits to her citizens.

“And so I can declare that with the 5G infrastructure, Nigeria will surely be a head ahead of many other countries, especially in Africa. Indeed, with the 5G network, our future as a people and as a country is remarkably bright.

“The 5G technology is not just a mobile network but represents a new culture, in a new era of connectivity where billions of devices exchange data and instill intelligence in our everyday life. It creates new, intelligent systems; and it can help to develop new advanced manufacturing models. I cannot forget to mention the prospect of increased job opportunities as a consequence of the value-chain benefits the technology will generate and offer. That is the dream we have all gathered here to launch today.

Mafab’s promise:

“As a company, MAFAB is fully committed to bringing the benefits of 5G technology to Nigeria and Nigerians through deploying its brand-new network to drive economic and business developments with increased broadband capabilities Nationwide.

“As we launch our 5G services today, we are also unveiling our brand-new logo for the company which heralds the dawn of a new era of infinite possibilities which this technology offers.

“…the journey to this day would not have been possible without the Government and the Leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, who deemed it fit to conduct a transparent and globally-acceptable standard in the auctioning of the 5G Spectrum band licences.

“We thank Mr. President for his unwavering commitment to see this policy to the end within the span of his administration.

“…permit me to also express my immense gratitude to the Honourable Minister of Digital Economy and Communications, Professor Isa Ali Pantami and the Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Professor Umar Garba Danbatta for their support and encouragement especially the times the challenges looked insurmountable”, he said.

Prominent personalities invited to the launch include, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Pantami, Minister of State, Works and Housing, Hon. Umar El-Yakub, the Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Professor Umar Garba Danbatta, HRH Emir of Bichi, Alhaji Nasiru Ado Bayero OFR and HRH, Emir of Bakura, Engr. Bello Muhammad Sani, members of the Diplomatic Corps, members of the Board of Mafab Communications, the media, among others.

The telecommunications company, unless there are last minute changes, will launch 5G services before January 31 2023.

Mafab Communications was incorporated on July 8, 2020, and licensed by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to provide and operate Local Interconnect and International carrier services.

​A source familiar with the process confirmed to TechEconomy that Mafab is working assiduously to beat the deadline granted it by the regulator – NCC.

MTN and Mafab, in December 2021, won the 3.5GHz Spectrum band for the 5G license.

In line with the terms and conditions of the 5G license, the licensees are expected to commence roll out 5G services effective from August 24, 2022. MTN, one of the licensees has commenced deployment.

However, Mafab Communications was issued a five-month extension for its 5G rollout by the NCC.

Why?

Mafab had only frequency licence and was not issued with the operational licence.

In other words, Mafab was granted an extension following the delays in receiving its unified operational license (USAL) and numbering plan, which did not happen until the end of July 2022.

5G will offer Nigerians higher data speed, improved reliability and availability.

The technology is also expected to bring substantial network improvements, including higher connection speed, mobility and capacity, as well as low-latency capabilities.

The benefits are far reaching as the service will enable Nigerians to achieve more with broadband and increase the nation’s broadband penetration, quality of service and capabilities.

[We are following up on this story for more details].

August 24, 2022 has been the date most Nigerians were expecting that 5G network would be launched, but is that the actually date fixed by the industry regulator – the Nigerian Communications Commission?  

What we know so far regarding the date for 5G launch in Nigeria:

So, following auction of 3.5GHz spectrum on December 13, 2021 for commercial 5G rollout, the National Frequency Management Council (NFMC), chaired by Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami), the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, had on February 22, 2022, officially handed over the spectrum allocation for 5G deployment as well as Federal Government-approved National Policy on 5G to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

Subsequently, the Commission, on February 24, 2022, confirmed the full payment of $273.6 million each by the two spectrum winners, in addition to spectrum assignment fee paid by MTN, for the 5G spectrum licence.

Therefore, on May 4 2022, it was reported that the NCC has issued final letters of licence awards to MTN, Mafab, 5G spectrum winners. This is where it gets more interesting.

Management of the Commission led by Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC), confirmed this to the Board of Commissioners at the Board’s Special Meeting, which took place on Wednesday, April 20 and Thursday, April 21, 2022, where the Board considered updates from Management on the status of the spectrum auction.

NCC’s statement signed by Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, erstwhile Director, Public Affairs indicates that with the issuance of the final letters of awards of 5G spectrum and in line with the Auction’s Information Memorandum (IM), “the two licensees are now expected to accelerate deployment of 5G network that will usher Nigeria into a more robust Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and a more digitised Nigerian economy.

“In line with the terms and conditions of the 5G license, the licensees are expected to commence roll out 5G services effective from August 24, 2022”.

You see why those expecting the launch to happen today are not wrong?

But, on Monday, August 22, Mafab Communications, one of the telecom companies that won the 5G spectrum licenses said it has been issued a five-month extension for its rollout by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

It is understandable that Mafab only has frequency license and does not have operational licence and it needs to apply for a telecom operational license to enable it roll out 5G services.

Mafab said it has been issued a five-month extension following the delays in receiving its unified operational license (USAL) and numbering plan, which did not happen until the end of July.

“We are fully committed to bringing the benefits of 5G services to Nigerians and deploying a network that will drive economic development with increased broadband capabilities nationwide,” Musbahu Bashir, chairman, Mafab Communications Limited, was quoted as saying.

“I have no doubt that the service will help deliver improvements in the fields of education, business, smart cities, and entertainment.

“The goal remains to launch before the 5-month extension period, and we will be sharing more information in the near future.”

It was on this ground that licensees can rollout ‘from and NOT exactly on August 24, 2022’ that NCC could have granted Mafab Communications more time to get its acts together.

How about MTN?

Top management of MTN had at different fora demonstrated the company’s commitment to providing quality internet access to Nigerians, especially by laying the groundwork to provide the 5G service in several parts of the country in the coming months.

Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, the General Manager for Fixed Broadband at MTN Nigeria, made similar claim last week:

“A lot of work is still being done by the Federal Government and organisations like MTN to achieve the right levels of broadband penetration. The journey has already started and further collaborations will help us to get better.”

“To improve internet connectivity in their locality, more than a dozen African countries have tested or are planning to roll out the 5G network in the next few years.

The next-gen network is predicted to contribute an additional $2.2 trillion to Africa’s economy by 2034. MTN, demonstrating its commitment to providing quality internet access to Nigerians, has laid the groundwork to provide the 5G service in several parts of the country in the coming months”.

TechEconomy’s recent editorial had identified that several challenges confronting the telecommunications sector in Nigeria need to be tackled to create fresh impetus for investors to sink their money in 5G technology.