MTN Celebrates 17 Years in Nigeria. Here are 7 Facts You Should Know About the Telco

Nigeria’s largest telecom company, MTN, is celebrating its 17^th year of operation in the country. Although the company has been going through a difficult time in the last three years, it is still the largest and most widely available telecom network in the country.

Y'ello tweetfam! @MTNNG is officially 17years!! and
we would like to do something special for you guys our family! Stay tuned and watch this space for more.. Tag your friends to follow 😉#EverywhereYouGo pic.twitter.com/N3SzWgbq1t

— MTN Nigeria (@MTNNG) August 9, 2018

And to celebrate this impressive feat, we’ve decided to rundown seven interesting facts about the telco.

MTN Nigeria Began Operations in 2001

MTN Nigeria is a part of the MTN Group, the South African telecom conglomerate. It began operations in Nigeria in 2001 after spent $285m for one of four GSM licenses in the country in January 2001.

MTN Nigeria Has 55.2 Million Subscribers in Nigeria

MTN is undoubtedly the largest telecom company in Nigeria. According to statistics from July, the telecom company boasted 55.2m subscribers. In perspective, Nigeria accounts for more than 25% of the MTN Group subscriber base globally.

MTN Nigeria says it increased subscriber base by 4.3 million to a record 54 million subscribers at the end of March 2018, thanks to its SIM registration footprint and the rollout of additional 3G and 4G sites across the country. https://t.co/w5aKBLnhIP
@MTNNG @__MTNNG @MTNza pic.twitter.com/ooP2AUDC1I

— TechNext.ng (@technextdotng) May 8, 2018

MTN Nigeria Has Made N567 billion this year

Despite its revenue base being hit hard due to a huge NCC fine, the telco has been picking up gradually. In the first half of 2018, the telecom company made a revenue of N567 billion, that is a 17 percent boost from the same period last year.

India’s Bharti Airtel Tried to Buy MTN Group in 2008

MTN Nigeria’s mother company, MTN Group, almost fell into the hands of the Indian company, Airtel, way back in 2008. According to the facts, Airtel considered a $19 billion bid for a 51% share of MTN Group but the deal fell through.

MTN, Airtel Gain Subscribers as Nigerian Internet Users Hit 91.6 Million – https://t.co/QOiZ1Aws99 pic.twitter.com/ZGM9FMPcmn

— TechNext.ng (@technextdotng) July 28, 2017

MTN is Africa’s Most-Valued Brand

In 2015, MTN was voted Africa’s most valuable brand by Brand Africa. That was the second time it won the award.

MTN Group Operates in 21 Countries Globally

MTN doesn’t operate in Nigeria and South Africa alone. The telecom company also operates in several African countries and a few countries in the Middle East. By 2018, its total global subscriber base is 223 million.

From ‘Your Best Connection’ to ‘Everywhere You Go’. Still unbeatable coverage!#MTN@17#17yearsyoung #mymtnworld #myyellolife #ThrowbackThursday pic.twitter.com/qz6WCkxlI8

— Esther Akinnukawe (@estherakinn) August 2, 2018

MTN Nigeria Will List on the Nigerian Stock Market Later This Year

Following the terms of its deal with the NCC, MTN will list its Nigerian subsidiary on the country’s bourse later this year. That listing is expected to be worth $5.2 billion and would be used to shore up the company’s resources in the country.