In a significant move for Nigeria’s telecommunications sector, the country’s fourth-largest operator, 9mobile, has officially rebranded as T2. The new brand identity was unveiled on Friday by Chief Executive Officer Obafemi Banigbe, who described the change as a strategic shift toward bold innovation and a digital-first approach.
The announcement comes as a separate report from a Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) indicates a positive economic trend, with Nigeria’s price inflation easing to its weakest point since May 2023.
9mobile Rebrands to T2 in Digital Push
The rebranding from 9mobile to T2 signifies a new chapter for the company, which aims to redefine its position in the competitive telecoms market. At the launch event in Lagos, CEO Obafemi Banigbe emphasized that the move is more than just a name change.
“This is not just a brand unveiling. It marks the beginning of a whole new chapter in our company’s history,” Banigbe said. “We are no longer who we were. We are evolving into something greater, more ambitious, and aligned with the future.”
He stated that T2 is reimagining itself as a “digital lifestyle enabler,” focusing on becoming a cloud-native, data-driven, and API-ready operator. This transformation is expected to deliver smarter, more personalized services to customers. The new brand name, T2, is said to represent agility, resilience, and boldness.
The rebranding follows a challenging period for the company, which was formerly known as Etisalat Nigeria. Banigbe acknowledged the past difficulties, stating that every setback had prepared the company for this resurgence. A key part of the new strategy is a national roaming agreement with MTN Nigeria, which is expected to expand T2’s network coverage and improve service quality for its customers.
Inflationary Pressures Ease to Over Two-Year Low
In separate economic news, a recent PMI report highlights an improved outlook for the Nigerian economy. The report reveals that price inflation for businesses has eased to its lowest level since May 2023. The headline PMI rose to 54.0 in July, up from 51.6 in June, indicating a solid improvement in the health of the private sector. This marks the eighth consecutive month of expansion.
The report noted that while the pace of purchase cost inflation eased, some businesses are still facing sharp increases due to currency fluctuations and higher raw material prices. The overall easing of inflationary pressures, however, has contributed to a rise in new orders and output. The report also pointed to a sharp increase in employment, with firms hiring at the fastest pace since October 2023.
