NCC seeks local production as coalition bridges smartphone access

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is worried that mobile device production is not happening in the country, giving out $76 billion telecoms sector to foreign economies.

The Nigerian Communications Commission is worried that mobile device production is not happening in the country, giving out $76 billion telecoms sector to foreign economies.The Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission , Dr. Aminu Maida and the President, FintechNGR, Ade Bajomo, when the governing council of FintechNGR visited Maida at the NCC headquarter in Abuja.

However, the country currently has no local smartphone assembling plant, while the cost of smartphones in the country is currently above the N30, 000 minimum wage. Bajomo disclosed that the meeting with NCC aimed to deepen the role of the telecommunications sector as a crucial enabler of fintech in Nigeria.

According to the GSMA, which announced this, members of this coalition include major global mobile operators, vendors, device ecosystem players, international organisations and financing institutions, such as the World Bank Group, the International Telecommunications Union and the WEF Edison Alliance.

By exploring new solutions including ‘de-risking’ financing mechanisms, with the support of the World Bank Group, the coalition will enhance and complement ongoing efforts to expand digital access and affordability. “By building creative solutions to bring mobile internet into the hands of those who need it the most, we believe we can make real strides towards closing the Usage Gap and help millions more maximise their potential by getting online.”

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