This was disclosed during NCC’s session titled: ‘The NCC Mandate and Strides Towards Full Digital Economy in Nigeria’, held at this year‘s AfricaNXT in Lagos.

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NCC's Digital Economy Department was created by Prof. Danbatta led- NCC to spread the FG agenda to reach rural, semi-urban and urban centers.#AfricaNXT #TechEconomy @africa_nxt @NgComCommission pic.twitter.com/LR4FaCQKwI

— Techeconomy (@TecheconomyNG) February 9, 2023

Aderonke Sola-Ogunsola, Head, Financing and Stakeholders Engagement Team said that through the Nigeria Telecommunications Indigenous Content of the NCC the country could serve as manufacturer of SIM in West Africa.

According to her, over 100 million SIM cards have been ordered by various telecommunications companies from an indigenous manufacturer putting an end to the importation of SIM Cards.

She expressed optimisms that the country will attain a fully digital economy soon.

Sola-Ogunsola recalled that Prof. Isa Pantami, Minister Communications and Digital Economy, had announced, at the 2022 indigenous content expo in Lagos, Federal Government’s ban on the importation of SIM Card.

She said that the Nigeria Telecommunications Indigenous Content were part of effort put in place to encourage innovation among the youths and promote the digital  economy.

‘’There is  the need to ensure individuals, businesses, and the nation harness derivable benefits and the opportunities offered by the emergent digital culture, to improve quality of life, grow businesses, and leapfrog the national economy.

‘’This remains the overarching objective of government policies, plans, and strategies.

On her part, Freda Bruce-Bennett, the Head, Digital Skills and services at the NCC, said that Nigeria is rapidly becoming a digitally dependent economy.

Bruce-Bennett addded that five out of the seven unicorns in Africa came from Nigeria. They are; Andela, Flutterwave, Interswitch, Jumia and Opay.

According to her, NCC was working with campuses and the Nation Youth  Service  Corp (NYSC) teaching them the process to  build their capacity.

Also speaking, Abraham Oshadami, Head, Spectrum Administration, NCC, said that digital economy  cannot  exist without  infrastructure, globally  infrastructure is the bedrock  and infrastructure  enables  adequate have adequate broadband penetration.

Oshadami explained that Nigeria has taken the lead in providing wireless broadband infrastructure which has significantly increased the mobile subscriptions and internet access in the country.

According to him, Nigeria has done so well in the entire Africa by taken  forefront to make available resources  and infrastructure  to provide high doaed broadband  leveraging  on satellite  and technology.

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Mr. Reuben Mouka, Director, Public Affairs, gave an overview of NCC that the national regulatory authority for telecommunication in Nigeria, is mandated to facilitate the attainment of digital  economy many other objectives by enhancing the availability, accessibility, and affordability of digital services.

In carrying out its duties, the NCC has instituted processes to improve connectivity, protect infrastructure, and defend the interest of consumers and other stakeholders.

While there have been challenges, the Commission has ensured that it consolidates on the successes recorded in the telecom industry.

AfricaNXT, formerly Social Media Week  (SMW) is an annual event year with  the theme ‘’Cooperate. Collaborate. Innovate. Unlocking Our Potential, Ensuring Africa’s Prosperity.”

Mr. Lai Labode, Chief Executive Officer of CashToken Africa, said the manner with which the Commission understands and supports the emergence of companies that have critical roles to play in actualising the dreams of the digital economy, promises that Nigeria will make the desired impact in the future of the country’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) development.

Labode said NCC’s approach to transform the telecom industry and contribute to the Federal Government’s digital economy agenda was reflected in the diligence, speed and smartness in processing recent applications including that of CashToken, which, he said, had led to a major collaboration with Mobile Network Operators.

According to a statement signed by Reuben Muoka, Director, Public Affairs at NCC, other participants also spoke about the demonstration of commitment to efficiency in NCC’s operations and attainment of excellence in regulatory oversight, a key item in the Commission’s extant Five-Point Agenda for transforming the telecom sector.

CashToken Africa, operated by CeLD, is a Nigerian company advocating performance-based customer rewards and nudging firms to reward their customers with life-transforming rewards.

He spoke at CashToken Africa’s forum at the 2023 AfricaNXT conference focused on, “Socially Smart Business Models: Universal Cash Reward, Direct Sales Gamification and Wealth Redistribution.”

NCC is one of the sponsors and key agencies participating at AfricaNXT event and will take to the stands on Thursday, 9th February 2023, from 1.00pm-2.00pm, at the FutureNow Stage, with a theme that will focus on its mandates and efforts towards the realization of the digital economy agenda of the Federal Government.