GSM@25: IHS Nigeria Throws Weight Behind eWorldForum

Digital infrastructure giant IHS Nigeria has joined a growing coalition of leading telecommunications and technology stakeholders backing the forthcoming eWorldForum and Book Launch, scheduled for September 24, 2026, at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos.

The event, themed “Celebrating GSM @ 25,” will bring together telecom executives, policymakers, technology professionals, infrastructure providers and other key industry stakeholders to mark 25 years of GSM in Nigeria and examine its impact on the country’s digital transformation.

IHS Nigeria’s support further strengthens the growing industry backing for the forum, underscoring the significance of the event as a platform for reflecting on the evolution of Nigeria’s telecommunications ecosystem.

Infrastructure at the Heart of Nigeria’s GSM Story
Since the launch of GSM services in Nigeria in 2001, telecommunications infrastructure has played a critical role in expanding mobile connectivity and enabling the growth of digital services.

IHS Nigeria has been a major infrastructure player in this ecosystem, providing telecommunications infrastructure that supports mobile network operations and connectivity across the country.

Its participation adds an important infrastructure perspective to the GSM@25 conversation, particularly as Nigeria looks beyond mobile voice services towards a more connected, data-driven digital economy.

Industry Heavyweights Rally Around GSM@25
IHS Nigeria joins an expanding list of prominent organisations and industry figures associated with the eWorldForum, including the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN) and Digital Realty.

Former NCC Executive Vice-Chairman and Chairman of MTN Nigeria, Dr Ernest Ndukwe, is also among the prominent industry figures supporting the gathering.

Their participation reflects the breadth of Nigeria’s telecommunications ecosystem and the importance of bringing together policymakers, operators, infrastructure providers and technology players to examine the sector’s journey.

Beyond Celebration: Looking at Nigeria’s Next Digital Chapter
While the 25th anniversary provides an opportunity to celebrate the transformation triggered by GSM, the eWorldForum is also expected to focus on the future.

The forum will provide an opportunity for stakeholders to assess how mobile connectivity has reshaped communication, commerce, financial services, entrepreneurship and social interaction while examining the infrastructure, policy and technology challenges that could define Nigeria’s next phase of digital growth.

The accompanying book launch is expected to preserve key perspectives, experiences and milestones from Nigeria’s telecommunications journey, creating a record of an industry that has fundamentally changed how Nigerians communicate and conduct business.

Why It Matters
Nigeria’s GSM revolution has evolved from basic mobile voice connectivity into a foundation for the country’s broader digital economy. Today, mobile networks underpin digital payments, e-commerce, cloud services, digital entertainment, online businesses and an expanding technology ecosystem.

The GSM@25 gathering therefore offers more than a retrospective look at the past 25 years. It provides an opportunity for industry leaders to consider what infrastructure, investment, regulation and innovation will be required to sustain Nigeria’s digital ambitions.

With IHS Nigeria now joining the growing list of supporters, expectations are building ahead of the September 24 gathering, which is expected to attract significant attention from across Nigeria’s telecommunications and technology sectors.

The eWorldForum is ultimately positioned as both a celebration of the GSM revolution and a conversation about Nigeria’s next digital frontier.

What You Should Know
Nigeria launched GSM services in 2001, transforming the country's telecommunications landscape.
The GSM revolution dramatically expanded access to mobile communications and helped accelerate Nigeria’s digital economy. IHS Nigeria is a major telecommunications infrastructure provider supporting mobile connectivity.

The September 24 eWorldForum will bring together telecom, technology, infrastructure and policy stakeholders.
A book documenting key perspectives and milestones from Nigeria’s telecommunications journey will also be unveiled.

As GSM@25 brings industry leaders together, the bigger question is no longer simply how far Nigeria has come but what the next 25 years of digital transformation should look like.