MTN Nigeria is reportedly in advanced discussions to acquire 5G spectrum assets held by Mafab Communications, in a transaction that could reshape the competitive structure of Nigeria’s fifth-generation mobile market.
The proposed deal is said to cover Mafab’s 2×20 MHz spectrum block in the 2.1 GHz band and its 100 MHz holding in the 3.5 GHz band.
Any transaction would require regulatory approval from the Nigerian Communications Commission.
Mafab and MTN both emerged winners of the NCC’s landmark 2021 auction of 3.5 GHz spectrum for 5G services, paying $273.6 million each for their respective 100 MHz lots.
MTN launched commercial 5G service in September 2022, while Airtel followed in June 2023 after obtaining its own license.
Mafab announced a 5G launch in January 2023, but the company has not built a visible retail presence comparable with established operators and has attracted questions over the commercial use of its spectrum assets.
Industry sources cited in the report said discussions between MTN and Mafab were nearing conclusion and were awaiting regulatory approval.
MTN and the NCC had not responded to requests for confirmation at the time the original report was prepared.
The proposed acquisition, if completed, would increase MTN’s spectrum holdings and potentially strengthen network capacity at a time of rapid growth in mobile-data demand.
Mafab’s entry into the 5G auction attracted attention from the outset because it had no significant consumer subscriber base or nationwide retail footprint when it won the license.
At the time, the company said it planned to rely on existing telecom infrastructure and partnerships while gradually expanding its services.
The latest negotiations, if approved, would mark a significant shift in a telecom venture that was originally expected to introduce another major competitor into Nigeria’s 5G market.
