South African telecoms giant MTN said Friday it would pay a $1.7 billion fine to the Nigerian government in a "full and final settlement" over its failure to disconnect unregistered mobile phone users.

The company said in a statement that "MTN Nigeria has agreed to pay a total cash amount of Naira 330 billion over three years."

Africa's biggest wireless operator was fined $3.9 billion last year and has since been in negotiations with the government over the payout.