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4G Handset Cost Hinders Operators Service Roll out – Report

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One of the key outcomes of the latest Telecoms.com Intelligence African Market Outlook 2016 is that 4G handset cost is the single biggest problem operators in Africa face in getting users onto 4G.

This is based on the views of the 39% of respondents in the research survey launched in October with responses from more than 150 telecom operators on how they see the 4G technology, though it is still in its relevance infancy in Africa.

A dig into the 4G uptake is relevant going by recent numbers from Orange which suggest that while mobile penetration is at a high point across the continent – with more than 70% of African citizens owning some sort of feature phone, just 17% are using some form of smartphone.

A close second place big problem in the industry is that which was expressed by 37% of the audience who say limited 4G network coverage – which could be as a result of insufficient distribution of spectrum by regulatory bodies; complex terrain and meteorological challenges that affect laying network infrastructure; cost of infrastructure etc. – is limiting 4G data usage.

Other factors they cited are a lack of awareness of flexible data pricing plans (13%), poor network quality (6%) and multi-Sim handset complexity (6%).

They also suggested solutions to the problem: 42% of respondents see the promotion of adaptable LTE plans and tariffs as one of the biggest tools, 35% see the promotion of adapted LTE plans and tariffs as important while 32% believe the answer lies in incentivising consumers to adopt 4G handsets, 29% want to see a greater quality of experience on the network side of things, and 20% are looking towards data-driven value-added services.

Relatedly, while LTE continues to be a priority area of investment – 37% and 36% respectively selected LTE-A rollout and LTE network optimisation as major areas they’re further developing at the moment – 43% see the cost of network infrastructure as the biggest challenge facing them today saying there’s still a lot more to come from LTE especially as many companies struggle to launch a 4G service.

The survey, which had participants questioned on their views on customer experience, acquisition and retention, as well as a broad overview of the African marketplace, also highlighted that 76% of operators – against 24% – believe churn is a major problem for them, due to the dominance of pre-paid tariffs while nearly half the audience say IoT is the top technology area for investment at the moment in Africa.

For customer retention strategies, customer experience came out as the overwhelming favourite with 74% and 41% of respondents considering VAS as the most important element of the strategy, 49% consider adapted tariff plans important and 42% see promoting plans and services, mobile marketing campaigns as important.

In all, an uncertain 19% of respondents say the market is stagnating or that it’s turbulent and unsure, but nearly 70% is more optimistic with one quarter saying the market is growing incredibly quickly as affluence increases throughout society. Under half the audience believe there exists a fantastic opportunity to reach a new market of smartphone users and grow 4G user-bases quickly in the short-term.


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Huawei Cloud Named Carrier Hybrid Cloud Leader in Sub-Saharan Africa

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On November 11, during the AfricaCom event, GlobalData unveiled its latest industry white paper, “Unleashing the Potential of Carrier-Grade Hybrid Cloud in Sub-Saharan Africa 2025”, highlighting key insights into the region’s evolving hybrid cloud landscape.

Based on comprehensive research across 13 Sub-Saharan countries and interviews with 25 leading telecom carriers, the report named Huawei Cloud as the Carrier Hybrid Cloud Leader in Sub-Saharan Africa, recognizing its leadership in technological innovation and solid market performance.

Huawei Cloud Ranked No.1 in Sub-Saharan Carrier Hybrid Cloud

Based on GlobalData’s research, assessing both technology leadership and market performance metrics, Huawei Cloud secured the top position among carrier-grade hybrid cloud vendors in the region.

Microsoft was positioned second and also recognized as a Leader, followed by AWS and Google as Dominant players. VMware and Oracle were considered Challengers.

Competitive Landscape: Carrier Grade Hybrid Cloud Sub Saharan Africa Region 2025

From a Market Performance perspective, Huawei Cloud achieved the highest rating for expanding market presence, supported by its extensive solution offerings and deep telco expertise. The study evaluated vendors against three key metrics: Market Presence, Market Differentiation, and Telco Expertise. Huawei demonstrated a stronger market push than its competitors, with Microsoft ranked second, followed by Google, AWS, VMware, and Oracle.

Market Performance: Carrier Grade Hybrid Cloud Sub Saharan Region 2025

In terms of Technology Leadership, Huawei Cloud achieved the number one aggregate score across seven major categories: Strategic Partnership, Performance and Reliability, Full Stack Infrastructure, Platform and Control, Professional Services, Big Data and Warehouse, and Artificial Intelligence. Huawei Cloud outperformed competitors in Strategic Partnership, Platform and Control, Professional Services, and Big Data & Warehouse, demonstrating a coherent and comprehensive capability across its carrier hybrid cloud portfolio.

Technology Benchmarking: Sub-Saharan Africa

Outlook for Carrier Hybrid Cloud in Africa

As Africa’s telecom industry accelerates digital transformation, hybrid cloud is becoming the cornerstone for innovation. With rapid growth in mobile data, expanding fiber networks, and rising adoption of AI and fintech services, carrier-grade hybrid cloud will empower carriers to deliver secure, intelligent, and scalable services that drive the continent’s next wave of digital growth. Huawei Cloud is committed to supporting this evolution, providing leading hybrid cloud solutions and deep telco expertise to help carriers succeed in the region.

Click the link to view the full report.(LINK)

 


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FG Launches Galaxy Backbone’s 1Gov ECM Platform, Marks Major Milestone in Nigeria’s Digital Transformation Journey

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The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), has officially launched the 1Gov Enterprise Content Management (ECM) Platform, developed and powered by Galaxy Backbone Limited (GBB). The launch marks a historic milestone in Nigeria’s journey toward building a digitally-driven, efficient, and knowledge-based public service.

The Go-Live ceremony, held at the Head of Service Conference Hall, Abuja, brought together senior government officials, including Permanent Secretaries from the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Special Duties, the management of Galaxy Backbone Limited, partners, and key stakeholders in Nigeria’s public sector digital ecosystem.

Delivering her address, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Esther Didi Walson-Jack, described the launch as a defining moment in the transformation of Nigeria’s civil service. She noted that the deployment of the GBB 1Gov ECM represents the fulfilment of a major commitment under the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP) aimed at driving efficiency, transparency, and data-driven decision-making across the service.

Mrs. Walson-Jack highlighted the progress made over the past year and seven months, including the creation of 59,344 official email accounts, comprehensive data cleansing and harmonization processes, and the successful migration from the previous Laserfiche ECMS to Galaxy Backbone’s sovereign 1Gov Cloud ECM platform. She emphasized that no Ministry, Department, or Agency (MDA) will need to restart the process, as the OHCSF has fully transitioned to the locally hosted platform.

In outlining the rationale behind the migration, she identified four key pillars underpinning the initiative:

  • National Sovereignty of Digital Infrastructure: Strengthening Nigeria’s ownership and control over its data and digital systems through a government-owned platform managed by GBB.
  • National Interoperability: Eliminating silos by enabling seamless collaboration and information sharing across MDAs through a unified platform.
  • Scale Advantage: Promoting uniform record management and operational standards across government institutions.
  • Faster and Inclusive Adoption: Enabling swift onboarding, electronic workflows, and e-signature adoption to accelerate the government’s transition to digital processes.

During a live demonstration of the 1Gov ECM platform, Mr. Ayodeji Bakare, 1Gov ECM Project Lead, reaffirmed GBB’s commitment to powering the Federal Government’s digital transformation goals. He revealed that over 893 staff members have already been enrolled and are actively using key features such as GovMail, document management, and workflow automation tools that enhance efficiency, transparency, and accountability.

Representing the Managing Director/CEO of Galaxy Backbone Limited, Professor Ibrahim A. Adeyanju, the Executive Director, Finance and Corporate Services, Mr. Sani Ibrahim, commended the OHCSF for its visionary leadership and collaboration. He stated that the deployment of the 1Gov ECM brings Nigeria significantly closer to achieving a fully paperless government by December 31, 2025, emphasizing that the Galaxy Backbone 1Government Cloud remains central to the nation’s digital transformation agenda.

He further highlighted that GBB has already deployed its 1Government Cloud solution across several ministries and agencies, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, and the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, among others. This, he noted, reflects GBB’s unwavering commitment to supporting all MDAs in their digitalisation journey, ensuring that Nigeria achieves its national digital transformation and sustainability goals.

The event concluded with renewed commitments from government leaders, partners, and MDAs to continue working collaboratively with Galaxy Backbone in advancing the modernization of Nigeria’s public service through the deployment of secure, innovative, and sustainable digital systems.


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ALTON Seeks Clear Rules to Strengthen Nigeria’s Digital Economy

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Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has urged lawmakers to provide unambiguous regulatory guidance in the proposed National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill, 2025, emphasising that clarity and structured collaboration are essential to drive investor confidence and sustainable growth in the country’s digital sector.

ALTON Seeks Clear Rules to Strengthen Nigeria’s Digital Economy

Gbenga Adebayo, chairman, ALTON

Gbenga Adebayo, chairman, ALTON, presented the association’s position during the Joint National Assembly Committee hearing on the Bill, commending legislators for their efforts to modernise Nigeria’s digital landscape and establish a legal framework for emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Representing all licensed telecom network and infrastructure operators in Nigeria, ALTON acknowledged the transformative potential of the Bill but highlighted concerns about overlapping mandates, institutional independence, and the need for coordinated regulatory action.

“The  (NCC) should retain its statutory oversight of telecommunications networks and infrastructure, while the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) should lead on digital policy and e-governance,” Adebayo said, while noting, “Ensuring that these agencies operate within clearly defined roles will prevent duplication, enhance efficiency, and foster investor trust.”

The association warned that regulatory ambiguity between NITDA and NCC could slow implementation, disrupt service delivery, and undermine confidence in Nigeria’s digital economy.

ALTON recommended a deliberate separation of policy guidance and technical regulation, citing international best practices from the United Kingdom, India, and the European Union, where such structures have successfully balanced accountability with innovation.

The association also called for a review of Section 82 of the Bill, which grants ministerial directive powers, arguing that safeguarding regulatory independence is critical for maintaining investor confidence and ensuring transparent governance.

To further strengthen inter-agency collaboration, the association proposed the creation of a National Digital Cooperation and Interoperability Framework

The framework would formalise joint action among NITDA, NCC, the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), providing a structured platform for coordination and policy alignment.

“Embedding structured collaboration within the Bill is essential to avoid policy fragmentation and improve coordination across government institutions,” Adebayo noted.

ALTON reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigeria’s digital transformation while emphasising that the success of the Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill depends on establishing clear jurisdictional boundaries, ensuring institutional independence, and promoting effective regulatory cooperation.

“Our goal is a sustainable digital economy driven by innovation, accountability, and investor trust,” Adebayo added, stressing that clarity and collaboration are the pillars that will define Nigeria’s digital future.

 

 

 

 

 


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