Nigeria’s newest telecommunications operator, Lebara, has officially commenced nationwide commercial operations, making its mobile services available to consumers as it seeks to establish a foothold in the country’s highly competitive telecoms market.
The company announced the launch on Monday, confirming that customers can now purchase Lebara SIM cards through participating retail outlets and registered agents. Customers can also complete Know Your Customer (KYC) verification remotely through the My LebaraNG application.
Lebara is offering both physical SIM cards and eSIMs, while customers can access in-person onboarding through its growing retail network, including Slot stores where Lebara agents are available.
The commercial launch marks a significant milestone in the company’s entry into Nigeria, moving the business from regulatory approvals and market preparation to full consumer availability several months after it began establishing its presence as a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO).
“We are excited to officially go live and make Lebara SIMs available to Nigerians. This is an important step for us as we begin to bring our services directly to customers,” said Teniola Stuffman, Chief Executive Officer of Lebara Nigeria.
“Our focus is on making connectivity simple and accessible while building digital experiences that give our customers more value,” she added.
Lebara said its distribution network already includes more than 1,000 registered retail agents, with further expansion planned to improve access to its services across the country.
The operator’s initial portfolio includes mobile voice, SMS and data services, as well as transparent usage tracking, cloud storage, Buy Now, Pay Later options for eligible devices and access to LebaraPlay, its mobile entertainment platform.
The company is positioning its offering around affordability, accessibility and reliability as competition continues to intensify in Nigeria’s mobile communications market. Established operators, including MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria, Globacom and 9mobile, collectively serve more than 150 million active lines.
As an MVNO, Lebara does not need to build and operate its own nationwide mobile radio network. Instead, it can leverage infrastructure provided by existing network operators while competing through pricing, distribution, customer experience and digital services.
Lebara’s Nigerian operation is linked to VAS2Nets Telecommunications Limited, which holds a Tier 5 MVNO licence issued by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). Under Nigeria’s MVNO licensing framework, operators can provide telecommunications services using infrastructure provided by host mobile network operators.
The VAS2Nets licence commenced in March 2024, while Lebara and VAS2Nets publicly announced their brand-licensing partnership in May of the same year. Lebara later unveiled its 0724 number series as part of its preparations for commercial operations before holding a soft launch in Lagos in February 2026.
The nationwide rollout now moves Lebara beyond market preparation and testing into full commercial availability, giving consumers across Nigeria access to its services from the outset.
The company is also inviting Nigerians interested in joining its distribution network to register through its website as it continues to expand its national footprint.
Lebara said its software-led, asset-light approach is designed to address some of the challenges facing mobile consumers, including network reliability, service gaps and the rising cost of mobile data.
