NTEL launches WakaGo eSIM, trials AirFibre in Lagos and Abuja

NATCOM Development and Investment Limited, trading as NTEL, has launched WakaGo, a pay-as-you-go global eSIM for Nigerians abroad, and is testing AirFibre wireless broadband in Lagos and Abuja. The former MTN rival says the two services target affordable international connectivity and unreliable home and office broadband.

NTEL Chief Technology Officer Kingsley Uwazie disclosed the plans in an interview with Vanguard. He said WakaGo lets compatible smartphones access mobile data abroad without buying physical SIM cards at their destinations. Users can keep their existing SIM cards for regular calls and still use WhatsApp calls, messages and other internet-based services.

WakaGo targets roaming charges

Uwazie said WakaGo runs on a pay-as-you-go model, so customers do not have to commit to fixed country-specific bundles. “The rates are very fair when you compare WakaGo to our competitors out there,” he said. He cited customer experiences in Japan, China and the United States as examples of where the service offers a cheaper alternative to conventional roaming charges. NTEL did not disclose specific subscription prices or comparative data rates.

AirFibre trials and speeds

AirFibre is NTEL’s answer to the high cost of connecting homes and offices directly to fibre-optic networks. Uwazie said fibre infrastructure reaches many telecom towers, but extending cables to customers remains expensive. AirFibre uses wireless technology to bridge that gap and deliver fibre-like speeds without extensive cable installation. According to Uwazie, the technology can deliver speeds of up to 1.2Gbps per link. The service is on trial in Lagos and Abuja, with expansion planned for Ibadan, Abia State and Benin City.

Rebuilding NTEL

NTEL, Nigeria’s fifth telecom carrier, plans to extend coverage through infrastructure sharing, national roaming and satellite connectivity. The company is also pursuing its BET strategy, focusing on telecommunications infrastructure, real estate and digital services. Uwazie said rebuilding customer confidence would remain central to the comeback. “Our aim is to keep Nigerians connected, whether you’re abroad or you’re local,” he said.

The push comes as Nigerians face high roaming costs abroad and expensive broadband connections at home. If NTEL delivers on the AirFibre trials and WakaGo pricing, it could add pressure on larger operators to improve affordability. The company has not yet published WakaGo rates or a firm commercial timeline for AirFibre.