By CHINYERE JOEL-NWOKEOMA

MTN Nigeria Communications Plc has declared a final dividend of N4.97 per share for the financial year ended December 31, 2019, just as it declared to invest N600 billion in network in the next three years.

Mr Ferdi Moolman, the company’s Chief Executive Officer, made this known in a statement made available to newsmen in Lagos.

Moolman said the investment would enable the company to accelerate its 4G network expansion, deepen population coverage and support the Federal Government’s broadband initiative.

He expressed excitement about the possibilities that the transition to digital presents for its business, and the growth and development of Nigeria.

Moolman stated that the company’s profit after tax in 2019 rose by 38.8 per cent to N202.1 billion, while profit before tax stood at N290.1 billion.

He said that the Mobile subscribers grew by 6.1 million to reach 64.3 million; active data users increased by 6.5 million to 25.2 million, while service revenue increased by 12.6 per cent to N1.2 trillion.

The company’s chief executive officer said the voice revenue growth remained healthy at 8.4 per cent and accounted for 72.7 per cent of service revenue.

“Our active data subscribers rose by 34.9 per cent to 25.2 million on the back of several initiatives.

“We are optimistic about the prospects for our business in 2020 and pleased with the continued momentum from H2 of 2019, and particularly Q4.

“Expanding 4G network coverage to deliver high-speed internet to more people nationwide and data revenue growth remain in focus.

“We continue to make good progress with the expansion of our super-agent network, and are confident that the expanded service offerings will position us to effectively drive broader financial inclusion, roll out the payment service bank seamlessly, once we receive a licence.

“We acknowledge the outbreak of Coronavirus worldwide and its potential impact on our supply chain.

“While we monitor unfolding developments, we are exploring multiple scenarios in a bid to mitigate the impact,” he said. (NAN)

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