ntel targets global travel connectivity market with WakaGo eSIM after international MVNO win

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Read History Go to My Account Log Out Enhanced by Google Technology ntel targets global travel connectivity market with WakaGo eSIM after international MVNO win Nigerian telecommunications operator ntel is seeking to expand its presence in the global digital connectivity market through WakaGo, its travel

Listen to this article Share Nigerian telecommunications operator ntel is seeking to expand its presence in the global digital connectivity market through WakaGo, its travel eSIM product, as the company pushes a digital-first business strategy following its victory at the MVNO Nation Europe 2026 competition in Spain.

This is even as the company had emerged winner of ‘The Hunt: Searching for the Next Great MVNO’, a pitch competition held during MVNO Nation Europe 2026 in Alicante, Spain, after presenting its Next Frontier relaunch strategy to an international panel of telecommunications industry judges.

Kingsley Uwazie, ntel’s chief technology officer, represented the company at the November 3–5 event, where he pitched its evolving approach to connectivity, highlighting digital innovation and opportunities beyond conventional mobile network services.

A central part of the presentation was WakaGo, ntel’s global travel eSIM product, which the company is positioning as a solution for people seeking seamless mobile connectivity when travelling across international borders.

The product reflects a broader shift in the telecommunications industry, where operators are increasingly exploring embedded SIM technology, digital distribution and international roaming alternatives to expand their addressable markets.

Unlike conventional SIM cards that require physical installation, eSIM technology allows compatible devices to download and activate mobile network profiles digitally. This enables travellers to access connectivity in supported destinations without necessarily purchasing a physical SIM card upon arrival.

For ntel, the opportunity lies in extending its business proposition beyond the traditional boundaries of Nigeria’s telecommunications market into a segment driven by international mobility, digital services and demand for uninterrupted connectivity.

The global travel eSIM market has attracted increasing attention as international travellers seek alternatives to expensive roaming services and the inconvenience of sourcing local SIM cards in different countries.

However, competition in the segment is intensifying, with established travel eSIM providers and telecommunications operators offering digital data packages across multiple destinations.

ntel’s challenge will therefore extend beyond introducing the product to building competitive pricing, reliable international network partnerships, broad destination coverage and a convenient customer experience capable of attracting repeat users.

The company’s victory at the European competition provides international recognition for its evolving proposition, although converting that recognition into commercial growth will depend on its ability to scale its services and establish a sustainable business model.

The competition adopted a Shark Tank-style format in which aspiring and recently launched mobile virtual network operators were given five minutes to present their business propositions before receiving feedback from industry judges.

Uwazie used ntel’s presentation to outline the company’s Next Frontier relaunch, with emphasis on reimagining connectivity through digital innovation and services such as WakaGo.

The company was subsequently announced as the winner during the MVNO Nation Awards.

The recognition comes as mobile virtual network operators seek opportunities in an increasingly digital telecommunications market. MVNOs provide mobile services using the infrastructure of established network operators rather than necessarily owning and operating their own radio access networks.

This model can allow operators to focus on specific customer segments, differentiated services and digital distribution while relying on wholesale network arrangements for connectivity.

For ntel, the strategy could provide an avenue to develop revenue streams outside the conventional model of selling voice, SMS and domestic data services.

Its Next Frontier relaunch also signals an attempt to reposition the company around emerging connectivity opportunities, although the commercial scale of its new offerings and their contribution to revenue have not been disclosed.

Uwazie’s participation at the event also highlights the company’s attempt to use technical leadership and international industry engagement to advance its business ambitions.

With experience in telecommunications, network engineering and next-generation connectivity, the CTO represented ntel in discussions involving industry leaders, technology experts and professionals examining the future of the MVNO market.

The company said its participation reflects its commitment to engaging with the global telecommunications ecosystem, exchanging knowledge and exploring opportunities to strengthen its position in the changing industry.

While the European award offers ntel international visibility, the longer-term test will be whether WakaGo and other digital connectivity services can translate its relaunch ambitions into customers, commercial partnerships and sustainable revenue growth.

For Nigeria’s telecommunications industry, ntel’s international recognition also brings attention to the opportunities available to local operators in the emerging global market for digital connectivity.

Royal Ibeh is a senior journalist with years of experience reporting on Nigeria’s technology and health sectors. She currently covers the Technology and Health beats for BusinessDay newspaper, where she writes in-depth stories on digital innovation, telecom infrastructure, healthcare systems, and public health policies.