New telco Lebara begins nationwide operations in Nigeria - Punch Newspapers
Nigeria’s newest telecommunications operator, Lebara, has commenced commercial operations nationwide, opening its mobile services to customers as it seeks to carve out a position in the country’s increasingly competitive telecoms market. The company disclosed this in a statement on Monday, saying Nigerians could now obtain its SIM cards through participating retail locations and registered agents, while completing Know Your Customer verification remotely through its My LebaraNG application. Customers can choose between physical SIM cards and eSIMs, with the company also offering in-person onboarding through its retail network, including Slot stores where Lebara agents are available. The development marks the transition of Lebara from regulatory approval and market preparation to full commercial availability for consumers, several months after the brand began preparations to enter Nigeria as a Mobile Virtual Network Operator. “We are excited to officially go live and make Lebara SIMs available to Nigerians. This is an important step for us as we begin to bring our services directly to customers,” the Chief Executive Officer, Lebara Nigeria, Teniola Stuffman, said. “Our focus is on making connectivity simple and accessible while building digital experiences that give our customers more value,” she added. Lebara said more than 1,000 registered retail agents were already part of its distribution network, as it continues to expand the channels through which customers can access its services across the country. FG targets 200 new telecom sites before December Minister reiterates FG’s push for nationwide fibre expansion NCC pushes digital inclusion for persons with disabilities Lebara said its initial offering would include mobile voice, SMS and data services, alongside transparent usage tracking, cloud storage, Buy Now, Pay Later options for eligible devices and access to LebaraPlay, its mobile entertainment platform. The company is positioning the service around affordability and reliability as competition intensifies in Nigeria’s mobile market, where established operators, including MTN Nigeria, Airtel Africa’s Nigerian unit, Globacom and 9mobile, serve more than 150 million active lines. Unlike those conventional mobile network operators, MVNOs can enter the market by using infrastructure provided by existing network operators, allowing them to compete through pricing, distribution, customer experience and specialised digital services without replicating the heavy capital expenditure required to build a nationwide radio network. Lebara’s Nigerian operation is linked to VAS2Nets Telecommunications Limited, which holds a Tier 5 MVNO licence issued by the Nigerian Communications Commission. The NCC’s licensing framework allows MVNOs to provide telecommunications services using the infrastructure of host mobile network operators. The licence commenced in March 2024, while Lebara and VAS2Nets publicly announced their brand-licensing partnership in May that year. Lebara subsequently unveiled its 0724 number series as part of preparations for commercial operations and held a soft launch in Lagos in February 2026. The latest rollout therefore represents the transition from market preparation and testing to full commercial availability. Lebara said the nationwide opening would give customers access to its services from the first day of commercial operations, while also inviting Nigerians interested in becoming distributors to register through its website. The company said its software-led, asset-light model was designed to address challenges such as network reliability, service gaps and the cost of mobile data. Justice Okamgba Justice has over three years experience spanning digital and print media. At The PUNCH, he currently covers the automobile sector with special interest in features and industry analysis.
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