Nigeria’s ICT Sector Records 9.62% Growth in Q2 2026

Nigeria’s Information and Communication sector maintained strong growth in the second quarter of 2026, rising by 9.62 per cent year-on-year in real terms.

The latest GDP report from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed that the sector accounted for 11.74 per cent of Nigeria’s real GDP in Q2 2026. This was higher than the 11.18 per cent recorded in Q2 2025 and 11.31 per cent in Q1 2026.

The performance came as the wider Nigerian economy grew by 4.43 per cent, compared with 3.89 per cent in the previous quarter.

Telecommunications and information services remained the sector’s largest contributor, making up 9.72 per cent of real GDP. The sub-sector generated about ₦5.20 trillion in real output, while its growth increased to 10.38 per cent from 7.39 per cent a year earlier.

Overall, ICT sector growth produced around ₦6.28 trillion in real output. Broadcasting contributed ₦762.3 billion, while motion pictures, sound recording and music production added ₦305.6 billion. Publishing accounted for about ₦8.6 billion.

In nominal terms, sector output reached approximately ₦14.64 trillion, representing 12.27 per cent of GDP, compared with 10 per cent in Q2 2025.

The figures underline the growing role of digital connectivity, mobile networks, internet services, digital payments and other technology-driven activities in Nigeria’s economy.

Nigeria recorded about 156.9 million internet users during the period, showing continued demand for connectivity and data services.

However, operators still face high infrastructure and energy costs, foreign exchange pressures and other challenges. Greater investment in broadband, fibre networks, spectrum, data centres and reliable power will be essential to sustaining ICT sector growth.

As businesses and households rely more heavily on digital services, the Information and Communication sector is becoming an increasingly important driver of Nigeria’s non-oil economy and future ICT sector growth.

Can Nigeria sustain this strong growth as demand for digital services continues to increase?