A new Ookla report ranks a Nigerian network as the fastest 5G in West Africa, with median download speeds of 226.59 Mbps and unmatched network reliability across the region
Ookla Report Confirms Nigeria Network Fastest 5G in West Africa
MTN Nigeria has been officially recognised as the fastest 5G network in West Africa, according to a new report by global network intelligence firm, Ookla, the operator of Speedtest®.
The latest findings, based on millions of user-initiated tests conducted in the first half of 2025 (Q1–Q2), show that MTN Nigeria achieved a Speed Score™ of 55.97, the highest in the region. This performance cements Nigeria’s position as a leader in mobile internet speed and reliability across West Africa.
According to the report, users on MTN’s 5G network consistently recorded median download speeds of 226.59 Mbps and upload speeds of 17.89 Mbps, making ultra-HD streaming, cloud gaming, and large file downloads faster and smoother than ever.
The recognition comes from Ookla’s rigorous Speed Score methodology, which combines download, upload, and latency metrics to produce a comprehensive measure of real-world network performance.
In a statement, Stephen Bye, CEO of Ookla, congratulated MTN Nigeria for the milestone achievement.
“After conducting an in-depth analysis of consumer-initiated tests taken with Speedtest, MTN has been named the ‘Fastest 5G Network in Western Africa’ by Ookla’s Speedtest Awards. We are thrilled to acknowledge MTN for this achievement, which reflects their unwavering focus on delivering superior network experience to their customers,” Bye said.
The report also revealed that the network recorded over 44,700 test counts during the measured period — an indicator of both high user engagement and wide network availability.
Industry analysts note that sustaining such performance levels requires massive, ongoing investment. MTN Nigeria reportedly committed over ₦750 billion in capital expenditure for 2025 to expand and maintain its 5G and broadband infrastructure.
This commitment is particularly significant as Nigeria’s telecom operators continue to contend with infrastructure challenges such as fibre cuts, vandalism, and power disruptions.
The achievement underscores MTN Nigeria’s drive to deliver a world-class, high-speed, and reliable mobile experience — a development that could boost the nation’s digital economy and competitiveness across the continent. Read More
