(Ecofin Agency) - Niger Telecoms has embarked on a national program to expand its network coverage, focusing particularly on rural areas. The state telecommunications company announced on July 1 the completion of 16 new telecom sites now operational in the Maradi region.

"The current phase of the project involves deploying equipment, including the installation and configuration of transmission hardware and communication devices. This phase is crucial for the effective commissioning of sites, ensuring that improvements quickly benefit end users, especially village populations gaining access to mobile telephony services," the company said in a statement.

This initiative comes as only 38.2% of Niger's territory is covered by telecom services for 78% of the population, according to regulators. The historical operator reported a geographical coverage rate of 51.8% and serves 59.9% of the population. Mobile telephony penetration stands at 65%, with internet penetration at 32%.

The national network expansion program aims to reach thousands more people and enhance Niger Telecoms' competitiveness, especially in the mobile segment. By the end of 2023, the state-owned company ranked fourth with 1.02 million subscribers and a 6% market share, according to official statistics. Competitors Airtel, Zamani Telecom, and Moov Africa controlled 46%, 30%, and 18% of the national mobile telephony market, respectively.