The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on Thursday said the local content drives of the Federal Government is yielding results as 100 million plus Subscribers Identity Module (SIM) cards are now produced in Nigeria.
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.”
