Digitnomics 
By Admin,
The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has called for the development of a more comprehensive framework for tracking investments in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector, arguing that current capital importation metrics do not fully reflect the industry’s actual investment activity.
In a statement reacting to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) Q1 2026 Capital Importation Report, ALTON acknowledged the role of accurate data in shaping investor confidence and policy decisions but noted that significant telecom sector investments funded through domestic capital and reinvested earnings may be overlooked in existing reporting systems.
The association also commended the Federal Government for the 50 per cent tariff adjustment approved in 2025, describing it as a critical intervention that helped restore financial sustainability across the telecommunications industry.
According to ALTON, the tariff review enabled operators to address revenue challenges and increase investments in network infrastructure, technology upgrades and service expansion.
Industry data cited by the association showed that Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), tower companies and other telecom stakeholders recorded capital expenditure of approximately N2.13 trillion in 2025. A further N1.86 trillion has been budgeted for 2026 to support network expansion, modernization and operational improvements.
ALTON noted that while the NBS report recorded a decline in foreign capital inflows into telecommunications from $80.78 million in 2025 to $7.24 million in the first quarter of 2026, the figures represent only a fraction of the investments currently being deployed across the sector.
“The industry’s substantial capital expenditure demonstrates that significant investments are being funded through domestic sources and reinvested operational earnings, which may not be fully captured by conventional foreign capital importation measurements,” the association stated.
To address the reporting gap, ALTON proposed closer collaboration among the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to develop a broader investment-tracking framework capable of capturing all forms of sectoral capital deployment.
The association said a more transparent and comprehensive investment profile would improve Nigeria’s attractiveness to investors, strengthen policy formulation and provide a clearer picture of the telecommunications sector’s contribution to the country’s digital economy.
ALTON further assured subscribers of continued investment in network expansion, modernization, resilience and service quality, reiterating the industry’s commitment to supporting innovation, financial inclusion and national economic growth through digital connectivity.
