Airtel Nigeria CEO Highlights Data Growth and Nationwide Connectivity as Key Innovation Priorities
Dinesh Balsingh, Managing Director and CEO of Airtel Nigeria, emphasized the importance of expanding data capacity and enhancing network connectivity as critical areas of innovation to elevate customer experience. He shared these insights during an exclusive roundtable with senior media executives held at the Radisson Hotel Ikeja in Lagos. The event gathered editors from business, ICT, consumer, and capital markets sectors from both traditional print and digital outlets to discuss Airtel’s service innovations.
The roundtable offered journalists an opportunity to engage directly with Airtel Nigeria’s leadership, gaining deeper understanding of the company’s strategies to meet Nigeria’s expanding telecom and tech ecosystem needs.
Mr. Balsingh highlighted the rapid surge in data usage across Nigerian urban centers, especially Lagos, driven by urbanization, digitization, and mobile-first lifestyles. “Cities like Lagos are experiencing extraordinary growth—more residents, businesses, and connected devices. At Airtel, we see data as the new oxygen. That’s why we’re heavily investing in 5G and fiber networks to build a smart, scalable infrastructure capable of supporting Nigeria’s digital future. It’s not just about faster internet; it’s about empowering education, healthcare, commerce, and new opportunities through reliable, high-capacity connectivity,” he explained.
The discussion also covered several technological advancements, including Airtel’s Business Network as a Service (NaaS) to support local enterprises, collaborations with Starlink and OneWeb to extend coverage into remote regions, self-service customer solutions, AI-powered data privacy protections, and cashback incentives via the Smartcash mobile app.
Additional initiatives highlighted included Airtel’s AI-powered Spam Alert Service, which identifies roughly 30 million spam messages each month; the upcoming NXtra Data Centre, slated to open in 2026 as Nigeria’s largest; and significant investments in education, such as the N1 billion funding for the federal government’s Three Million Technical Talents (3MTT) program, Adopt-a-School, and the Reimagine Education initiative benefiting over 1.5 million Nigerian students—including more than 880,000 pupils across 1,450 Airtel/UNICEF partnered schools nationwide.
“Airtel Nigeria is committed to deploying cutting-edge solutions that power digital connectivity in both urban and underserved rural areas,” Balsingh affirmed.
With the roll-out of 5G-compatible technologies and expanding fiber networks in major cities, Airtel aims to ensure Nigerians remain competitive in the global digital economy. The company’s evolving infrastructure is tailored to meet the demands of modern consumers seeking high-speed, seamless online experiences.
This roundtable underscores Airtel Nigeria’s dedication to innovation, customer-centricity, and industry leadership amid Nigeria’s ongoing digital transformation. As the country advances into a digitally driven era, Airtel remains focused on delivering comprehensive solutions aligned with Nigeria’s growth ambitions.