The IT industry in Nigeria has a lot of top companies offering the best internet services in Nigeria. MTN was among the pioneers to set up popular tech firms in Nigeria. As time passed, more competitors graced the scene offering cheap data services.
The internet has helped in the development of IT firms in the country today. This is so because with the number of popular IT companies operating in Nigerian states and major cities such as Lagos, Abuja, Ibadan, Kano and the likes, a healthy competition that will boost internet usage among users is bound to arise.
Nigeria, Africa’s foremost economic hub provides a favourable environment for thriving technology companies as well as the market for technological products.
Top 20 Tech Companies in Nigeria
Here is a list of the top 20 tech companies operating in Nigeria.
1. MTN
MTN Nigeria is considered the best IT firm operating in Nigeria. They began operations in Nigeria in 2001, securing their GSM license from the NCC at first before reeling out other services for their subscribers. MTN Nigeria’s primary services include the provision of GSM, data, international roaming, and mobile phone retail services. They are part of the MTN Group, a multinational company based in South Africa and have their subsidiaries cutting across Africa.
With its extended network coverage and wide reach, MTN stands out as the best amongst the top telecoms’ operators in Nigeria today. MTN Nigeria headquarters is located at the Golden Plaza, Ikoyi in Lagos State.
2. Paystack
Paystack is a technology company solving payment problems for ambitious businesses. Paystack is an indigenous Nigerian IT company with tentacles across African countries with over 25,000 merchants. Paystack has come to be known as unique as her staff are not expressive with their dress sense, its work environment is indeed unique and relaxing. Paystack is entirely designed and built in the dynamic, entrepreneurial city of Lagos!
3. Globacom
Glo Nigeria Limited is the first indigenous Nigerian owned telecommunication company and also among the leading firms in the IT industry and telecommunications sector. GLO’s submarine cable extends from the United Kingdom to the West African coasts, providing ultra-fast internet connections to Nigerians as well as other West African countries.
Globacom primary services involve providing cheap data (4GLTE) and telephony services. Their headquarters is located in Lagos State, Nigeria and with operational branches in several other African countries, Ghana, Togo and Cote d’Ivoire.
4. 9Mobile
9Mobile (Formerly Etisalat) is a multinational company domiciled in the UAE but with operations spread across the middle east and Africa.
9Mobile changed its company’s name from Etisalat to “9Mobile” on the 14th of July, 2017. Its Nigerian operations commenced in 2008 and its major operations involve the provision of GSM, data, and international roaming services to its customers.
Its Nigerian head office is situated at Eti Osa, Lagos. Its major strength is in its vast array of internet broadband services. Its website is etisalat.com.ng.
5. Airtel Nigeria
Airtel is an Indian national telecommunication company operating in Nigeria. They officially began operations in 2010 after buying Zain Nigeria. Airtel Nigeria has one of the largest mobile internet subscriber bases in the country.
6. Google Nigeria
Google, no doubt is the world’s largest search engine giant currently. Although based in the United States of America, the multinational search engine giant is said to be worth billions of dollars according to Forbes and has active operations whilst promoting information technology in several countries of the world including Nigeria. Google Nigeria headquarters is located at Rewane, Ikoyi in Lagos State.
7. Ericsson Nigeria
Ericsson has since remained relevant in the technological world. Globally, Ericsson is well respected and even began operations before most of the top tech firms in the world. The Swedish based multinational company has built a network in various continents whilst offering various services, some of which include software, telecommunication, mobile, fixed broadband, video systems, cable TV and a host of other services. Ericson Nigeria headquarters is located at Carrington Cresent, Victoria Island Lagos.
8. InterSwitch Limited
Just like Globacom, InterSwitch Limited is also an indigenous company established in 2002. This tech company deals with integrated payment and transaction processing services. They are also involved with the provision of advisory services, transaction processing and payment infrastructure to banks, government, and corporate bodies. Interswitch office is located at Oke Awo Close, Victoria, island, Lagos.
9. IBM Nigeria
International Business Machines, commonly referred to as IBM, is an American-based multinational company with outlets and operational branches around the world. IBM manufactures, deals and promotes computer software and hardware. They also offer other tech services such as cloud computing, hosting and consulting services. IBM Nigeria has its headquarters located at Karimu Ikotun Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.
10. MainOne
The MainOne Company has a submarine cable that stretches from Portugal to South Africa, with landings in Lagos and Accra. Founded in 2010, the firm is an indigenous communication service provider of wholesale Internet services to telecom operators, ISPs, government agencies, educational institutions, and large enterprises.
11. Dataflex
Dataflex, one of the oldest indigenous ICT companies in Nigeria. They have a vast array of international partners some of which include Microsoft, Oracle, Symantec, IBM, Dell, Fujitsu, EMC and many more. Dataflex’s head office in Nigeria is located at Murin Okunola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos State, Nigeria.
12. Zinox
Zinox is a trailblazer in Nigeria’s IT industry, Stanley Ekeh set up Zinox Technologies Limited in 2001 determined to fill the gap of manufacturing computers locally.
To achieve this, Zinox Computers was launched. Nigeria’s First Internationally Certified Branded Computers came with a Naira sign and a power supply designed to the country’s unstable power.
13. Omatek
Omatek Computers Limited is the first factory to locally assemble Computer cases, Speakers, Keyboards and Mouse, other than Computer systems and Notebooks in the whole of Africa.
The assembling of these components in this factory has created a great advantage to other systems builders as well as resellers all over Africa for retailing.
14. Huawei
Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd is a Chinese multinational networking and telecommunications equipment and services company headquartered in Shenzhen, Guangdong.
Huawei has focused on expanding its mobile technology and networking solutions through a number of partnerships. In March 2003, Huawei and 3Com Corporation formed a joint venture company, 3Com-Huawei (H3C), which focuses on the R&D, production and sales of data networking products.
15. iPNX
iPNX is an Information, Communications Technology (ICT) company specializing in network connectivity and delivery of internet, telephony, television as well as cloud-based software application services to corporate and residential customers.
16. Galaxy backbone
Galaxy Backbone PLC is an Information and Communications Technology Services provider, wholly owned by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Galaxy Backbone PLC was established in 2006 by the Federal Government based on the need for the Government to pursue a coordinated and harmonized approach to information and communications technology acquisition, operation and use in the public sector.
17. Chams Plc
Chams is a leading provider of integrated identity management systems and verification platforms in Nigeria since 1992 to date.
Chams Plc is the first home-grown company to be listed in the Guinness Book of Records for setting up the mega ChamsCity Digital Mall. Chams Plc is also the first computer technology company listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.
18. eTranzact
eTranzact is one of the companies that got CBN Approval to offer mobile money services in Nigeria. Mr. Valetine Obi is the Chief Executive Officer of eTranzact. As a merchant, you can integrate your web portal to the eTranzact platform for your customers’ online payments.
19. Cloudware Technologies
Cloudware Technologies design, develop, implement Cloud-based Solutions and designs website, Applications, and software. Cloudware Technologies also designs; Android, Blackberry, IOS, Java, Symbian & SMS, Mobile Applications.
CloudSMS a subsidiary of Cloudware Technologies is Nigeria’s most reliable bulk SMS service provider in Nigeria. Dubbed the No. 1 in customer service, CloudSMS can bring SMS Alert sending capability of your software/app to life via its robust API.
20. Sidmach
Sidmach Technologies Nigeria Limited is a wholly indigenous Information Technology (IT) company working assiduously to transform lives by creating platforms that makes people work smarter thus, making life better for the populace. Its services range from biometric-enabled solutions, end-to-end examination processing, e-Agriculture, Pension Management System (e-Pension) and Cloud-based IT solutions amongst others.