The telecommunications industry has contributed a share of ₦5.199 trillion (approx ₦5.2 trillion) to Nigeria’s real gross domestic…
The telecommunications industry has contributed a share of ₦5.199 trillion (approx ₦5.2 trillion) to Nigeria’s real gross domestic product (GDP) during the second quarter of 2026. Its** 9.72%** is its highest contribution to the country’s GDP in two years.
According to data made available by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Monday, the contribution represents a 10.61% year-on-year increase from the ₦4.7 trillion (9.2%) it recorded in Q2 2025. This is another proof of the significant growth the Nigerian telecoms industry has experienced in the last 12 months.
The 9.72% is its highest contribution to Nigeria’s real GDP since it recorded 14.58% in Q1 2024, nine quarters ago.
Telecoms contribution to Nigeria’s Real GDP
Also, the telecoms industry led in the digital economy (64.2%) as the sector contributed 15% to real GDP in Q2 2026. In monetary terms, the industry contributed ₦8.1 trillion to the nation’s GDP of ₦53.47 trillion during the quarter.
Notably, the Nigerian Digital Economy sector comprises the Information and Communication (I&C) and the Financial Institutions (FI) sectors. The industry has remained a top contributor to the Nigerian economy, specifically driven by telecom operators and the banking industry.
The** I&C sector** contributed 11.7% to real GDP in Q2 2026, compared to 11.8% in Q2 2025. In monetary terms, the sector contributed ₦6.27 trillion, up from ₦5.72 trillion in Q2 2025.
In further breakdown, Telecommunications accounted for ₦5.2 trillion (82.84%), followed by Broadcasting with ₦762.3 billion (12.15%), and Sound and Media Production with ₦305.6 billion (4.87%). Publishing recorded the least contribution of ₦8.6 billion, representing 0.14%.
Digital economy’s contribution to Nigeria’s real GDP in Q2 2026
The Financial Institutions (FI) sector, comprising financial institutions and Insurance, contributed 3.3% to real GDP in the second quarter of 2026. This, in monetary terms, revealed that the sector contributed ₦1.8 trillion.
The further breakdown shows that Financial Institutions recorded the highest contribution of ₦1.57 trillion (87.2%), leaving Insurance with ₦230.6 billion (12.8%). Comparisons reveal that FI contributed 3.23% in Q2 2025, amounting to ₦1.65 trillion.
Overall, Nigeria’s real GDP grew by 4.43% YoY in real terms in the second quarter of 2026, higher than the 4.23% recorded in the second quarter of 2025.
Also Read: Voice and data usage drives telecoms’ N4.7trn contribution to Nigeria’s real GDP in Q1’26.
For every ₦100 of economic output Nigeria produced in Q2 2026, ₦9.72 came from telecommunications. While oil has traditionally been a noticeable driver of GDP, telecoms has been catching up because almost everyone makes calls (voice) and browses the internet (data).
Industry data by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) shows that total telecoms users now stand at 192.2 million, out of the estimated 230 million to 250 million Nigerians. Internet users climbed to 156.9 million, showing that 81.6% of Nigerians are mobile data users.
Telecom Tower
The telecoms sector’s ₦5.2 trillion contribution to Nigeria’s real GDP is a testament to the continuous growth of the sector. It shows how the industry powering Nigeria’s connectivity has recovered since the economic shock it experienced in 2024/2025.
Following the upward review of voice and data prices in January 2025, the industry has continued to improve in data usage, internet penetration and revenue streams for operators.
During the first six months of 2026, Nigerians used 7.1 million terabytes of data, showing the massive internet usage amid demand for high-speed data, new smartphone interfaces, and an increase in file uploads and downloads. This blends with the surge in financial inclusion powered by mobile money and smartphone adoption.
With the industry recording its highest contribution in two years, it shows that more Nigerians are streaming audio and video, using social media, and working remotely. It’s a testament to how fintech and mobile money ride on telecom networks and how more businesses now depend on the internet than before.
The surge in users explains the rise in contribution, which has witnessed a continuous increase in capital expenditure across the industry.
Project Bridge, the federal government’s 90,000km fibre optic cable rollout across the country, is set to commence in October. This is a project tipped to expand Nigeria’s internet coverage and broadband penetration to enhance 4G/5G networks.
Also, the deployment of 3,700 telecom towers in rural areas, to commence in October, seeks to connect underserved Nigerians currently without network coverage and aims to bring 20 million Nigerians living in these communities online.
Across the first half of 2026, MTN Nigeria reportedly spent ₦620.5 billion on capex while Airtel claimed it used ₦287.6 billion ($211 million) for 4G/5G tower deployment and necessary investments.
Also Read: Airtel Africa bets major share of $1.1bn CAPEX on spectrum acquisition and fibre rollout in 2026.
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