Nigerian Government Partners with Ericsson to Accelerate 5G Connectivity

As Africa’s most populous nation, Nigeria represents over 15% of the continent’s population, making its collaboration with Ericsson pivotal in advancing digital transformation across various sectors. This strategic partnership is set to play a key role in enhancing economic growth and improving public services through the deployment of advanced, secure, and reliable 5G technology.

A major objective of this collaboration is to support Nigeria’s digital transformation initiatives, which aim to foster economic progress by providing faster, more efficient, and secure digital infrastructure. The agreement also emphasizes capacity building and knowledge sharing, which will pave the way for the establishment of innovation hubs and tech incubators in Nigeria. This effort will contribute to improving digital literacy and skills development, thereby boosting the nation’s technological ecosystem.

The high-level delegation accompanying Vice President Kashim Shettima included Nigeria’s Foreign Minister, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, and Dr. Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy. During their visit to Ericsson’s headquarters, they were hosted by Patrick Johansson, Head of Ericsson Middle East and Africa, who showcased the company’s 5G technologies at the Ericsson Imagine Live Studio.

During the two-hour visit, discussions revolved around Ericsson’s longstanding presence in Africa, advancements in technology, spectrum management, standardization efforts, and the critical role of cybersecurity in the 5G era.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed to formalize the partnership, with Dr. Bosun Tijani representing the Nigerian government and Patrick Johansson and Peter Olusoji Ogundele, Head of Ericsson Nigeria, signing on behalf of Ericsson.

Expressing excitement over the agreement, Johansson stated, “It was a privilege to showcase Ericsson’s leadership in 5G technology to the Vice President and his delegation. We are eager to work closely with the Nigerian government to unlock the innovation potential of 5G, which will benefit businesses, citizens, and the country’s digital competitiveness.”

Ericsson has had a presence in Nigeria since 1978, playing a key role in significant telecom advancements, including the launch of Nigeria’s first GSM network in 2001. This new partnership builds on that legacy, positioning Nigeria to take full advantage of 5G technology for national development.