Lebara, a global Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO), is entering Nigeria’s $20 billion telecom market with a fresh approach: ditching traditional airtime in favor of voice bundles.
Set to launch in Q3 2025, Lebara Nigeria will offer prepaid packages that give users more control and transparency. “You buy minutes, not airtime,” said Samuel Alabi, Head of Corporate Communications. “If your call ends in 30 seconds, you still have 99 minutes and 30 seconds left.”
In a market where ₦100 airtime often disappears without clear explanation, predictable voice bundles feel like a breath of fresh air. This model also aligns with the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) recent push to open up the telecom space through MVNO licensing.
Nigeria is late to the MVNO game compared to countries like South Africa and Kenya, but it’s catching up fast. As of May 2025, 41 MVNO licences have been issued across five tiers. Lebara secured a Tier 5 licence through its local partner VAS2Net in March 2024, allowing it to offer a full range of telecom services.
Unlike major players like MTN and Airtel that maintain massive infrastructure, Lebara keeps operations lean. It leases network access and relies on digital platforms to reduce costs. “Our operational cost is lower, so our prices can be too,” Alabi explained. “It’s like how fintechs disrupted banks.”
Backed by Sweden’s Telness Tech and Nigeria’s VAS2Net, Lebara plans to tailor services to different user needs—from heavy callers to social media fans. Both SIM and eSIM options will be available. The rollout starts in Lagos and the Southwest, with Abuja and Port Harcourt to follow. Nationwide coverage is expected within six months.
Perhaps most exciting is Lebara’s plan to build public WiFi hubs through partnerships with local governments and cultural bodies. It’s aiming to bring near-free internet to underserved communities.
After years of poor service and hidden charges, Nigerian consumers are ready for something better. As Alabi put it: “We’ve gotten so used to asking, ‘Can you hear me now?’ that we’ve forgotten we shouldn’t have to. Lebara is here to change that.”
