Zamani Telecom has called on Niger authorities to revise the country’s investment code to stimulate capital inflows, support network expansion and enhance competitiveness in the domestic telecom sector.
The appeal was made during a visit by Minister of Communication and New Information Technologies Adji Ali Salatou to Zamani Telecom’s headquarters on March 12. Officials indicated that reforms to the investment framework could enable the operator to increase spending on infrastructure, improve service delivery and better position itself in a competitive market.
Declining investments and subscriber losses
Zamani Telecom has seen a sharp reduction in its annual investments in recent years. In 2020, the company invested CFA33.8 billion (US$59.2 million), but by 2024, this had fallen to CFA8.9 billion. The company operates roughly 800 sites and maintains partnerships with around 40 entities, according to data reported in September 2023.
This decline in investment coincides with significant subscriber losses. The operator reported 4.19 million mobile subscribers as of June 2025, down from approximately 5.2 million in December 2022a drop of over one million users. Its mobile internet segment also suffered, with subscribers falling from 2.9 million in December 2022 to around 1.07 million in June 2025, representing a 63.1% decline.
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Market share has similarly contracted. Zamani Telecom held 24.19% of the mobile market and 13% of mobile internet subscribers by mid-2025, placing it behind competitors Airtel and Moov Africa but ahead of Niger Télécoms.
The company has previously been discussed as part of a potential merger with Niger Télécoms to strengthen coverage and competitiveness. Its current network reaches 87% of the population, though territorial coverage is reported at only 29%.
Need for policy support
Zamani Telecom’s executives stressed that the current investment climate limits the operator’s ability to expand and modernise its infrastructure. Reforming the investment code, they argue, could provide incentives for capital inflows and reduce operational constraints.
Minister Adji Ali Salatou emphasised government support for the company, stating that despite environmental challenges, the administration remains committed to facilitating growth. He highlighted recent energy policy measures, including a decree granting exemptions for renewable energy, aimed at easing operational costs for telecom operators.
Sector challenges and competition
The operator faces strong competition from both local and regional players. Airtel and Moov Africa dominate key segments, while Niger Télécoms continues to operate in the public sector. Zamani Telecom’s losses in subscribers and mobile internet penetration underline the intensifying pressure across the market.
Analysts note that sustaining investment in network infrastructure is critical for operators to remain competitive, particularly in expanding coverage, improving service quality and attracting new subscribers.
Looking ahead
Reforming the investment code could play a central role in revitalising Zamani Telecom’s performance, enabling the company to scale infrastructure projects, expand coverage and regain market share. Observers say that coordinated support from government, coupled with policy incentives and access to financing, will be essential for sustaining growth in Niger’s increasingly competitive telecommunications sector.
With digital connectivity becoming a key driver of economic development, initiatives to attract investment and modernise networks remain a high priority for both operators and policymakers in Niger.
