Lebara Nigeria has commenced full commercial operations, becoming the second Mobile Virtual Network Operator to launch services under Nigeria’s current MVNO regulatory framework.
According to TechCabal, the Nigerian subsidiary of London-based Lebara Group will provide mobile services through Airtel Nigeria’s network while operating its own digital products and customer-facing systems.
The launch also marks Lebara Group’s first entry into Africa and places it in direct competition for customers in a market dominated by MTN Nigeria, Airtel, Globacom and 9mobile.
Lebara holds a Tier 5 MVNO licence issued by the Nigerian Communications Commission in 2023.
Unlike traditional mobile operators, MVNOs provide telecom services using infrastructure owned by another network operator rather than building a nationwide radio network from scratch.
Lebara outlines service strategy
Lebara said its arrangement with Airtel does not mean it will simply operate as another brand on an existing network.
“Being an MVNO does not mean simply putting a brand on somebody else’s network,” a company representative, Fasheitan, said.
“As a Tier 5 MVNO, Lebara Nigeria has the flexibility to operate across significant parts of that value chain.”
While Airtel remains responsible for radio infrastructure such as towers and spectrum, Lebara controls core and customer-facing systems including activation, billing, account management and support.
“For us, reliability goes beyond signal strength,” Fasheitan said. “It is about building trust by ensuring customers can connect seamlessly, activate their services easily, manage their accounts conveniently and access support whenever they need it.”
Second MVNO to launch
Lebara follows Vitel Wireless, which began commercial services in October 2025 under the NCC’s MVNO framework.
Although the regulator has issued dozens of MVNO licences across different categories, only a small number have progressed to full commercial operations.
Lebara said its early strategy would not focus solely on acquiring large subscriber numbers.
“We don’t believe that responsible growth means simply spending aggressively from day one,” Fasheitan said. “Our approach is to build, learn, optimise and scale.”
The company is entering a highly competitive Nigerian mobile market where network reliability, data costs, customer service and nationwide accessibility remain major factors influencing subscribers’ choices.
