• T2mobile signs network upgrade deal with Huawei post-rebrand
• $3B plan includes modernization, MTN roaming deal, leadership changes
• Seeks to regain market share after major subscriber losses

T2mobile, a Nigerian telecommunications operator formerly known as 9mobile, announced last week a multi-million dollar agreement with Chinese technology company Huawei to modernize its core network. The initiative is part of the company's effort to bolster its competitiveness in the domestic market, coming just weeks after its rebranding.

While T2mobile did not disclose the specifics of the partnership, it assured Nigerians that the collaboration will lead to a more robust and sustainable network, along with faster, more reliable daily connectivity.

This move continues a turnaround plan that T2mobile launched in 2023 following its acquisition by Lighthouse Telecoms. The plan is based on four phases: stabilization, modernization, transformation, and growth. In addition to a new brand identity, T2mobile has strengthened its leadership team and signed a national roaming agreement with MTN to address coverage gaps. The operator also announced a four-year, $3 billion investment plan in January.

The former 9mobile had a history of network unavailability, poor service quality, and limited coverage. This situation has led many customers to switch to competitors like MTN, Globacom, and Airtel. According to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), at least 55,782 subscribers ported their numbers away from 9mobile between April 2024 and April 2025.

The effective implementation of promises for a more durable network and improved connectivity could allow T2mobile to retain its current customer base, win back former subscribers, and attract new clients in a market where users are constantly seeking quality services at affordable prices. This dynamic could help the operator regain market share and, in turn, boost its revenue. T2mobile currently holds a 1.61% market share among 169.3 million subscribers.

It remains to be seen whether the announced agreement will translate into tangible improvements on the ground. In its announcement, T2mobile noted that the "agreement was formally sealed with a handshake between Obafemi Banigbe, CEO of T2mobile, and Constantine Jiang, MD of Carrier Business Group of Huawei Nigeria." The company provided no details on the exact nature of the agreement, the steps toward its implementation, or a timeline for the core network modernization.

Isaac K. Kassouwi