ICT

Nigeria’s Data consumption Rises 67% to 1.6m terabytes in July

By editor

Posted on October 12, 2026

Broadband penetration @ 57.4% below 70% target

Nigeria’s data consumption rose nearly 47 per cent to 1.6 million terabytes in July 2026, highlighting growing demand for digital services.

The NCC said subscriptions could reach 350 million within 10 to 15 years, driven by cloud computing and AI. Telecoms contributed 9.72 per cent to real GDP in Q2 2026, but power and middle-mile connectivity remain key constraints.

Broadband penetration stands at 57.4 per cent, below the 70 per cent target. Industry stakeholders called for faster rollout of Project BRIDGE, lower right-of-way charges, and longer-term naira financing to expand digital infrastructure.

Nigeria’s data use is climbing faster than the infrastructure built to carry it. July consumption reached about 1.6 million terabytes, nearly 47% higher than a year earlier. The opportunity is large. But fibre, power, devices, and financing have not kept pace.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) expects subscriptions to rise from about 195 million today to 350 million within 10 to 15 years. Cloud computing and AI will further lift demand.

That applies not only to mobile data but also to data centres, fibre backhaul, and reliable electricity. Telecoms already contributed 9.72% to real GDP in the second quarter of 2026. That makes network investment an economic issue rather than a narrow industry concern…