MNOS see 1.62% growth as tech adds 16.6% to GDP

… MTNN unveils AI- powered Chatbot

MOBILE network operators, largely the GSM players including MTN, Globacom, Airtel and 9mobile saw a combined growth of 1.62 per cent at the end of 2023.

Specifically, MTN saw 2.85 per cent individual growth; Globacom, 0.85 per cent; Airtel, 0.44 per cent and 9mobile, 2.24 per cent.

Nigerian Communications Commission ( NCC) statistics, which revealed this, showed that the 2023 growth was however lower compared to 2022. For instance, the combined growth for the MNOS was 4.90 per cent. The Commission said MTN had 9.61 per cent; Globacom, 1.51 per cent; Airtel, 2.85 per cent and 9mobile, 0.08 per cent in 2022.

However, as of the end of 2023, MTN controlled 38.79 per cent of the market with 87 million subscribers. Airtel with 27.55 per cent penetration serviced 61.8 million users. Globacom as of 2023 had 61.6 million customers and 27.45 per cent market reach, while EMTS, trading as 9mobile, had 13.9 million subscribers and 6.21 per cent growth.

Further, the NCC data showed a negative growth for fixed wireless operators at - 0.13 per cent at the end of 2023 as against - 1.98 per cent in 2022. Specifically, VGC/ MTN, which saw 1.31 per cent growth in 2022, fell to - 1.62 per cent in 2023; 21st Century Technologies moved from - 2.15 per cent in 2022 to 0.08 in 2023; IPNX moved from - 15.27 per cent in 2022 to - 8.87 in 2023; Globacom had 0.26 per cent growth in 2022 and 0.18 per cent in 2023.

For the Voice Over Internet Protocol ( VOIP) dropped from - 0- 50 per cent growth to – 2.29 per cent. In that space, Smile Communications moved from - 0.21 per cent in 2022 to - 2.18 per cent and Ntel dropped - 32.94 per cent in 2022 to - 20.74 per cent a year later.

RELATEDLY, activities in the Information and Communications Technology ( ICT) contributed 16.66 per cent to Nigeria’s real Gross Domestic Product ( GDP) in Q4 2023.

The National Bureau of Statistics ( NBS) disclosed this in the Q4 GDP statistics released recently. This shows an increase in contribution when compared to the 16.22 per cent recorded in the same period last year.

Quarter- on- quarter, the sector also recorded an increase in contribution when compared with the figure recorded in Q3 2023. The NBS data showed that ICT contributed 15.97 per cent to the real GDP in the preceding quarter.

According to NBS, the ICT sector comprises the four activities of Telecommunications and Information Services; Publishing; Motion Picture, Sound Recording, and Music Production; and Broadcasting.

The ICT sector in the fourth quarter of 2023 recorded a growth rate of 6.33% in real terms, year- on- year. This was driven largely by activities in the telecommunications sub- sector, which contributed 14%% to the GDP in the real term. The telecoms industry is dominated by MNOS including MTN, Globacom, Airtel and 9mobile. Internet Service Providers ( ISPS) are also driving a lot of activities in every other sector of the economy.

The closest sub- sector to telecoms in the ICT sector in terms of contribution was Broadcasting, which added 1.68 per cent.

MEANWHILE, MTN Nigeria has successfully integrated Openai on the MTN Zigi Chatbot. This heralds a standard for artificial intelligence- driven customer service in Africa.

In partnership with Microsoft and Chatbot service delivery provider, Superbo, the MTN Zigi Chatbot, powered by ( mirroring) CHATGPT version 3.5, is currently operational and actively serving customers.

MTN said the successful integration of Openai onto its Zigi Chatbot has ushered in an era of enhanced customer experiences, where customers can now benefit from swift responses, accurate information, and a seamlessly interactive experience, thanks to the power of artificial intelligence.

Chief Customer Relations Officer at MTN Nigeria, Ugonwa Nwoye, emphasised the firm’s dedication to customer- centric innovation. “Our customers are the cornerstone of our endeavours at MTN. We are continually exploring innovative avenues to simplify their lives and ensure they experience excellence on our network. The integration of Openai into our Chatbot underlines our unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of technology and delivering the highest quality of service to our customers,” she stated.