Globacom Partners With Wave5 To Launch Public Wi-Fi In Lagos, Boosting Connectivity.
Nigerian billionaire Mike Adenuga’s telecommunications giant, Globacom, has embarked on an ambitious initiative to roll out public Wi-Fi across Lagos, partnering with Wave5 Wireless to enhance internet access and alleviate mobile network congestion. The pilot project, announced on 15 July 2025, targets high-traffic areas such as Tejuosho and Arena markets and 15 LAMATA bus shelters, aiming to serve over 200,000 users with affordable, high-speed connectivity.
The partnership operates under a Build-Operate-Revenue Share model, allowing Globacom to offload 3G and 4G traffic onto Wave5’s Wi-Fi infrastructure. Users can access the service for a daily fee of N500 (£0.25), covering approximately three hours of usage across 200 days annually. Wave5 estimates this could generate recurring revenue of £5.6 million, offering a sustainable model for expanding digital access. Biola Akinyemi, Wave5’s Chief Technology Officer, stated, “This collaboration redefines connectivity in Nigeria, addressing daily network challenges and paving the way for transformative digital services.”
Ayọ̀wándé Adálémọ, Wave5’s CEO, emphasised the broader impact, saying, “Our mission is to bridge Nigeria’s digital divide, supporting small businesses and keeping people connected.” The initiative aligns with Globacom’s ongoing efforts to expand its digital footprint, including rural mobile coverage and the establishment of digital innovation hubs, with the first launched in Lagos in 2024 and more planned for Port Harcourt, Ibadan, and Abuja by mid-2025.
Globacom, Nigeria’s second-largest telecom operator with over 60 million subscribers, has a history of pioneering affordable services, from per-second billing to the Glo-1 submarine cable connecting Nigeria to the UK. This latest venture builds on Adenuga’s vision to democratise access to technology, supporting Nigeria’s growing digital economy. The project also serves as a test case for a neutral-host approach, allowing multiple carriers to share infrastructure, with Wave5 seeking £2.3 million to expand the model across Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa.
The launch has been met with enthusiasm, with social media posts on X describing it as a “game-changer” for Lagos’s internet landscape. As Nigeria’s economic hub, Lagos stands to benefit significantly from improved connectivity, particularly for small businesses and commuters. The Federal Government has welcomed the initiative, noting its potential to support the Central Bank of Nigeria’s financial inclusion goals, building on Globacom’s MoneyMaster Payment Service Bank, which serves 79 million underbanked citizens through 100,000 agents.
With this pilot, Globacom and Wave5 are setting a precedent for innovative partnerships in Nigeria’s telecom sector, promising to enhance connectivity and drive socio-economic growth in one of Africa’s most vibrant cities.
