Meet Ayowande Adalemo: The Nigerian Entrepreneur Building Africa’s Fast-Growing Public Wi-Fi Network
Meet Ayọ̀wándé Adálémọ: The Nigerian Entrepreneur Building Africa’s Fast-Growing Public Wi-Fi Network
Nigeria’s internet infrastructure is under pressure. With mobile networks facing congestion, rising data costs, and unreliable access, millions of Nigerians still struggle to get online. But where traditional telcos see challenges, one startup sees opportunity.
Wave5 Wireless, led by entrepreneur Ayọ̀wándé Adálémọ, is pioneering a new model of last-mile connectivity: public Wi-Fi infrastructure. By building shared, neutral-host Wi-Fi access points across public spaces like markets, schools, and bus stops, Wave5 aims to democratize internet access while keeping it profitable and scalable.
Solving Nigeria’s Connectivity Crisis
Adálémọ, alongside co-founder Biola Akinyemi, set out with a bold mission: make high-quality, affordable internet accessible to millions. As he puts it:
“Mobile networks are congested, data is expensive, and digital services remain inaccessible for those who need them most. Our goal was to offload traffic from overstretched mobile networks by building a dedicated public Wi-Fi infrastructure layer that’s open, affordable, and smart enough to support more than just connectivity.”
This vision birthed AMPPS—the Atmosphere Multi-Protocol Provisioning System—a proprietary platform that not only manages Wi-Fi connectivity but also layers fintech, e-commerce, education, and media services directly into the user experience.
The potential is enormous. “If just 10 million people spend ₦500–₦750 weekly through Wave5,” Adálémọ explains, “we’re talking over ₦370–400 billion (~$250M) in recurring revenue annually—and that’s just in Lagos.”
The Power of a Neutral-Host Model
Unlike traditional ISPs or mobile operators, Wave5 doesn’t compete—it collaborates. Their neutral-host model allows multiple mobile carriers, digital service providers, and fintechs to ride on the same infrastructure. This drastically reduces costs and makes nationwide coverage more feasible.
“Nigeria, like much of Africa, has limited broadband infrastructure, high spectrum costs, and low ARPU,” Adálémọ notes. “Our model lets one Wi-Fi network serve multiple operators and services at a fraction of mobile network costs.”
With AMPPS, telcos can easily offload mobile traffic, authenticate users, and deliver digital services through a customizable captive portal. This turns each Wi-Fi zone into a multifunctional digital hub.
Partnership with Globacom: A Major Validation
Wave5’s recent partnership with Globacom serves as a strong market validation. Through the trial, Glo is offloading mobile data to Wave5’s Wi-Fi zones, easing strain on its licensed spectrum while improving customer experience.
AMPPS ensures seamless authentication and reporting for Glo and other future partners. “This proves our network is carrier-grade,” Adálémọ emphasizes, “and sets a precedent for wider state-level and national collaborations.”
Monetization Built for Scale
Wave5’s approach to revenue is built around volume and value-added services—not high user fees. A single user might pay as little as ₦100 for access, but the real value comes from partnerships, advertising, and embedded fintech transactions.
“We own the pipe, the captive portal, and the provisioning engine,” Adálémọ says. “This means we can capture value from access, services, and data—making it affordable for users, scalable for partners, and profitable for investors.”
Supporting the Broader Digital Ecosystem
Beyond connectivity, Wave5 is building a platform for broader digital enablement. By opening its infrastructure to fintechs, edtechs, local content creators, and SMEs, Wave5 helps businesses reach users in cost-effective and innovative ways.
Wave5 isn’t just solving a tech problem—it’s building the rails for Africa’s digital future.