Mcebisi Jonas, Chairman of MTN Group, recently highlighted the pressing issue of telecom infrastructure vandalism during a media event. This ongoing challenge has significant implications for service delivery and operational costs for telecom operators across Africa. The analytical report published in the material substantiates the following: effective measures are needed to combat this issue to ensure sustainable growth in the sector.
Impact of Telecom Infrastructure Destruction
Jonas pointed out that the destruction of telecom infrastructure not only disrupts services but also leads to increased operational expenses for companies. He specifically mentioned Nigeria as a hotspot for such incidents, with MTN reporting over 5,478 cases of fiber cuts in 2025 alone.
Community-Based Solutions for Protection
To combat this issue, Jonas advocated for a community-based model aimed at protecting telecom infrastructure. He stressed the necessity of collaboration between local communities and telecom operators, emphasizing that such partnerships are crucial for safeguarding vital infrastructure and ensuring uninterrupted service delivery.
