MTN Nigeria added over 250k eSIM subscribers in 2025, total users now 492k

Leading telecoms company MTN Nigeria said it added 253,842 eSIM (Subscriber Identity Module cards) subscribers in 2025, representing a 65.4% inrease from 2024. This is according to its 2025 sustainability report, released on Monday. 

Since it launched the service six years ago, the cumulative adoption rate has increased by 36,742% to 492,370 subscribers. 

MTN said that since it launched the product in 2020, it has improved customer experience, maintained the highest quality of service for its customers and reduced physical distribution barriers. 

“By expanding eSIM capabilities, we are improving customer acquisition and retention, simplifying service delivery, and reducing physical distribution barriers,” it said in the report. 

MTN Nigeria’s eSIM launch on Wednesday, July 15, 2020, made the operator the first telco in Nigeria and West Africa to launch the product after receiving approval from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). While it initiated the trial in July 2020, it continued expanding the technology outside Nigeria to other African markets.

In 2020, MTN recorded 689 eSIM users, which increased by 1,977 subscribers the following year. By 2022, total users reached over 18,000. Between January 2022 and December 2025, the user base has increased by over 474,000 subscribers, revealing the shift in adoption. 

In comparison, MTN Nigeria’s eSIM subscribers account for 0.53% of the telco’s total subscriber base. 

Also Read: MTN Nigeria to pivot away from diesel energy after saving N8.5 billion on gas in 2025.

eSIM: Increased support from smartphones drives adoption

The evolution of eSIMs was designed to deliver unprecedented freedom and flexibility.

Unlike physical SIMs, they are built into smartphones, devices and wearables. They support multiple profiles and allow customers to connect multiple numbers to to a single device.

With increased technology and adoption of high-cost smartphones such as the iPhone, Google Pixel, and Samsung that support eSIM, users are projected to witness a massive increase by the end of 2026.

Industry data by GSMA revealed that more than 60 eSIM-enabled smartphones were launched in just the first half of 2025. It noted that the technology is now present in mid-range devices from brands like Xiaomi, Oppo, and Samsung that are popular across Nigeria.

Particularly, it is useful for Nigerians who want to manage personal and business lines effectively. The technology is also convenient for frequent travellers and tourists, making it easier for them to opt for and keep a local subscription when visiting Nigeria.

And the eSIM is witnessing a significant adoption by travellers. Another GSMA research showed that about 51% of current users first activated the technology specifically for travel purposes. With this, the adoption rate is projected to surge 75% by 2030.