Nigeria records marginal drop in registered SIMs.

In March, the number of active mobile numbers in Nigeria decreased by 630,000 due to providers disconnecting clients who did not link their SIM cards with their National Identity Number (NIN). 

According to the latest data from the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), there are 219.3 million active lines in West Africa. 

The March dip followed a 0.7% increase in registered SIMs the previous month. 

As a result, the country's teledensity fell to 109 percent in March 2024, from 110 percent the previous month. 

According to Tunde Abidoye, Equity Research Analyst at FBN Capital, the monthly decrease in mobile lines is mostly due to the NIN-SIM linking regulation implemented by the sector's regulator. 

"As a result, network operators have disconnected mobile lines that have not linked their SIM cards to their NINs," Abidoye said in a press release. FBN Capital reported that market dynamics remain substantially constant in terms of share composition.

 MTN Nigeria (MTNN) held the highest share, accounting for around 37.4 percent of total active users. 

This was closely followed by Airtel and Globacom, with subscriber market shares of 28.9 percent and 28.4 percent, respectively. 9Mobile, the smallest of the four GSM companies, held a 5.3% market share.

 Since 2020, the SIM/NIN harmonisation plan requires all subscribers to link their ID numbers to SIM registration records. The government aims to reduce cyber and violent crime in Nigeria, including terrorism and kidnapping.