…reviews new licensing framework
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced that as of May 2025, Nigeria has achieved a teledensity of 79.65% and broadband penetration of 48.81%.
Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, made the announcement during a stakeholders’ forum in Abuja, where its introduced a new draft licensing framework, the General Authorisation Framework.
This initiative is designed to foster innovation and support the integration of emerging technologies within Nigeria’s telecommunications sector.
Maida, who was represented by Rimini Makama, the Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management, emphasized that the new framework is crafted to address the dynamic shifts in the digital economy. It aims to support startups, foster new service models, and embrace emerging technologies.
He stated, “We are at a pivotal moment where the pace of innovation requires a regulatory approach that is both enabling and future-focused.”
The draft introduces three new instruments: the Proof-of-Concept for piloting innovations, the Regulatory Sandbox for controlled testing, and the Interim Service Authorisation for services that do not fit within current licensing categories.
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Usman Mamman, Director of Licensing and Authorisation at the NCC, explained that the framework was developed based on research and international best practices, drawing from countries like the UK and Singapore.
“This approach will facilitate experimentation and responsible implementation while ensuring market integrity,” Mamman stated, encouraging stakeholders to provide feedback before the final version is released.
Mohammed Yusuf, Head of Telecoms Law and Regulations at the NCC, shared insights from stakeholders such as the Industry Consumer Advisory Forum (ICAF) and MTN Nigeria.
ICAF called for clearer consumer protection measures, improved redress mechanisms, and limits on the scope of authorisations, while MTN raised concerns over potential overlap between temporary and permanent licences, seeking more detailed guidelines.
Yusuf reassured participants that the final framework will incorporate stakeholder feedback and be aligned with national digital policies.
The commission reiterated that the General Authorisation Framework is still a draft and is open to public review.
