Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) received a contribution of N2.5 trn from the telecommunications and information services in the first quarter of 2023.
Data from the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS says this contribution represents 14.13 per cent of the GDP.
According to NBS, the telecom sector recorded a 4.3 percent increase from its performance in the last quarter of 2022 when it recorded 13.55 percent.
Reasons for the increase?
Well, this is because the number of mobile phone subscribers in Nigeria has risen to 223.8 million as of April 2023.
When compared on a year-on-year basis, the growth showed a positive progression from 12.94 percent in the first quarter of 2022, to the 2023 figure of 14.13, which is an approximate growth of 9.19 percent.
NCC Director of Public Affairs, Mr Reuben Muoka, disclosed this on Tuesday in a statement.
According to the statement:
“One of the key highlights of the telecom industry performance within the period was the generation of $820.8 Million for the federal government from 5G spectrum licences fees paid by three eventual winning operators, MTN, MAFAB and Airtel.
“Following the issuance of the licences in December 2021 to MTN and MAFAB, both companies have launched 5G services. Airtel, which received its licence in December 2022, is set to launch services this month, June 2023.
“Another major development in the sector was the launch of Starlinks broadband services, a satellite-based wireless broadband service with potential nationwide coverage.
“This followed the issuance of licence to Elon Musk-owned SpaceX by the Commission. The services are now available in different parts of the country.
The statement continued thus:
“Meanwhile, the growth statistics of the telecom industry are showing an impressive record of contributions to the economy.”
“The number of phone subscribers as at April 2023, stood at 223.6 million subscribers, scoring a teledensity of 117 percent.
“Internet subscribers for the same period were 157 million while Broadband subscriptions stood at 92 Million, translating to 48 percent broadband penetration in the country.”
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