Telecom
Future Of Mobile Innovation In Sub-Saharan Africa Hinges On Consistent Privacy Regulation
By John Giusti (GSMA
Mobile is critical for creating a truly “Digital Africa”, a connected region where digital technologies are delivering positive impacts to societies and economies. Sub-Saharan Africa is the fastest growing mobile market in the world.
Fuelled by growing access to mobile data services, the mobile ecosystem is flourishing, providing a platform for innovation that is generating employment opportunities and spurring the creation of new services.
This wave of growth is underpinned by increased availability of mobile data.
By 2020, sixty per cent of mobile connections are forecast to run over mobile broadband networks, almost double the number from 2016. In the same period, mobile data traffic is expected to grow by sixty-six per cent.
Global data flows are also creating new degrees of connectedness among economies, and digitalisation can positively impact GDP, and this surge in data is critical to economic opportunity in Sub-Saharan Africa.
In this new data driven world, the mobile industry is focused on building the trust and confidence of users and, in so doing, enable data innovation that benefits citizens.
This will hinge on the implementation of certain and consistent rules for data privacy that apply to all service providers.
Today, there are significant discrepancies within the region regarding principles incorporated into data privacy laws and how they are implemented nationally. In some countries, mobile licence conditions stipulate that certain user information or accounting information may not be transferred outside the country.
In those same countries, other service providers are not subject to the same restrictions. If mobile operators are prevented from transferring data outside the country, it will inhibit their ability to bring the benefits of centralised cloud systems to the region.
This will make operating within the global economy more difficult, and will deny consumers the innovative services and other benefits that come from fair competition and economies of scale.
In respect to data usage, mobile operators are also often subject to privacy-related restrictions in their licences or national law regarding what they can and cannot do with user data. In some circumstances, this may be reasonable and proportionate, however, we would urge governments to limit such restrictions to only those that are strictly necessary and, in any case, apply equally to all providers of communications or equivalent services.
Whilst inconsistent application of rules will affect mobile operators’ ability to compete, critically it prevents consumers’ privacy expectations from being met in a consistent way. To maximise growth, consumers must have confidence that data is being protected.
However, as the lines blur between what type of service each service provider delivers, consumers are not always aware of the different privacy rules that apply or which provisions only impact one segment of the market.
This can lead to a degradation of trust, meaning consumers are less willing to share information, less confident that their data will be used in accordance with stated mobile privacy policies and ultimately less likely to use data-based services.
Creating a regulatory environment across Sub-Saharan Africa that not only protects the privacy of consumers through consistent application of privacy rules but encourages the mobile industry’s ability to deliver innovative services is vital to unlocking social and economic benefits across the region.
The mobile industry urges governments throughout Sub-Saharan Africa to avoid legislating for specific types of data and instead focus on individual privacy concerns – ensuring that obligations are not tied to the type of service provider.
This will guarantee that all providers of data services are subject to the same privacy regulations, creating an environment where consumers feel their data is safe and protected.
This will allow all service providers to compete in the provision of data-based services and contribute to the growth of the data economy throughout the region.
Only by creating a level-playing field in applicable regulation – regulation that not only protects consumers in a consistent way, but also promotes innovation – can digital technologies realise their full social and economic potential in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) has unveiled Accelerator Cohort 3.0 as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s space technology ecosystem and support the growth of local startups.
The initiative will be a major highlight of the 2026 Nigerian Satellite Week scheduled to hold on March 30 and 31 in Abuja, where key players in the satellite and digital infrastructure sectors are expected to converge.
In a statement signed by Stephen Kwande, the Head of Corporate Communications, the company described the new accelerator as its most direct investment in building long-term competitiveness within Nigeria’s space economy.
According to NIGCOMSAT, the programme is designed to support early-stage ventures working across satellite applications, last-mile connectivity, agriculture, logistics and other areas where space-based technology can drive impact.
The company said previous cohorts of the accelerator had already contributed to developing innovative solutions and building the human capacity needed to position Nigeria for the next phase of the global space industry.
“With Cohort 3.0, we are making it clear that the accelerator is not a pilot project but a permanent feature of how Nigeria develops its space-tech companies,” the statement said.
NIGCOMSAT noted that the Nigerian Satellite Week has grown into a major platform for policy discussions, partnerships and investment in the sector.
The 2026 edition is expected to attract top government officials, defence leaders, development finance institutions and technology entrepreneurs from across Africa.
Jane Egerton-Idehen, managing director of NIGCOMSAT, said the event also marks two decades of Nigeria’s journey in the space economy.
“Twenty years ago, Nigeria took a bold step to secure its place in space. What we are seeing today is the result of consistent effort and vision,” she said.
She added that the company is focused on shaping the next phase of growth through innovation, partnerships and investment in local talent.
NIGCOMSAT also highlighted recent milestones, including a Low Earth Orbit connectivity partnership with Eutelsat, improved revenue performance and increased global recognition in satellite operations.
Other activities lined up for the event include a Startup Demo Day, where selected African startups will pitch their ideas to investors, and a stakeholders’ forum to discuss policies and infrastructure needed to scale Nigeria’s satellite economy.
The company said the initiative reflects the growing role of satellite technology in national development, particularly in areas such as communications, security and digital services.
NIGCOMSAT, established in 2006 and wholly owned by the Federal Government, provides satellite-based services including telecommunications, broadcasting and broadband across Nigeria and parts of Africa.
The Federal Government has unveiled a N12bn Digital Economy Research Fund aimed at strengthening evidence-based policymaking and supporting Nigeria’s long-term digital transformation agenda.
Dr. Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday, announcing the launch of an expression of interest for the National Digital Economy Research Clusters.
“Today my heart is filled with deep joy as we announce the Expression of Interest for the National Digital Economy Research Clusters, a N12bn research funding scheme designed to place ideas, evidence, and research at the centre of Nigeria’s digital transformation,” the minister said.
According to him, the programme is being funded under Project BRIDGE, a federal initiative to deploy 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic backbone infrastructure across Nigeria to expand connectivity and enable a modern digital economy.
“This programme is being funded under Project BRIDGE, our initiative to deploy 90,000km of fibre optic backbone infrastructure across Nigeria to expand connectivity and enable a modern digital economy,” he said.
The minister noted that as the government expands digital infrastructure nationwide, research-backed approaches are required to ensure inclusive benefits.
“As we deepen our digital infrastructure coverage, thoughtful, evidence-based approaches are required to be deployed in society to ensure everyone benefits from this significant investment,” he added.
He observed that digital policy decisions are often shaped by market forces and political cycles rather than rigorous research and long-term thinking. “Too often, the ideas shaping digital policy come predominantly from markets and political cycles rather than from research, evidence, and long-term thinking,” the statement said.
Under the initiative, six national research clusters will be established across key pillars of the digital economy, including connectivity and meaningful use; digital public infrastructure and government services; digital skills and human capital development; digital economy and jobs; online trust and consumer protection; as well as artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.
The clusters will be led by up to 36 professors drawn from Nigerian universities, working alongside international academic partners, with more than 200 researchers, including postdoctoral fellows and PhD candidates, expected to generate policy-relevant research.
“For me, the goal goes beyond research output. We are looking for better policies that lead to stronger institutions and a more prosperous society,” the minister said.
He described the initiative as one of the ministry’s most meaningful programmes, noting that it is intended to produce ideas that will outlast any single administration. “Because nations that lead the future are not simply those that deploy infrastructure; they are the ones that cultivate ideas,” he said.
The ministry invited academic and research institutions interested in participating to review the Terms of Reference released alongside the EOI and submit proposals to lead or collaborate within the national research clusters.
It added that a press conference would be held in the coming week to provide further details and engagement opportunities for vice-chancellors and research institutions across the country.
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has directed Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to compensate subscribers experiencing poor network service across the country.
The Commission said the directive was part of efforts to ensure that consumers are not made to bear the burden of service failures when operators fall short of required standards.
Under the new regulation, telecom operators will be required to provide compensation directly to affected subscribers for breaches of Quality of Service (QoS) Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
According to the NCC, the compensation will be issued in the form of airtime credits, calculated based on subscribers’ average usage and their presence within specific Local Government Areas where service disruptions occur.
The Commission emphasised that telecommunications services remain critical to economic activities, social interactions, and access to digital opportunities, noting that poor service delivery negatively impacts productivity and public confidence.
It explained that while regulatory fines have traditionally been used to sanction operators, the new approach prioritises consumer protection and strengthens accountability within the telecommunications sector.
The NCC added that the measure would complement existing efforts to monitor service quality and enforce compliance with performance standards.
In addition, the Commission directed tower companies responsible for telecom infrastructure, such as network masts, to reinvest fines imposed on them into infrastructure upgrades with measurable outcomes.
The regulator reiterated its commitment to ensuring that operators invest in network resilience, expand capacity, and improve infrastructure to meet growing demand.
It also pledged to continue deploying regulatory mechanisms that promote fairness, transparency, and accountability across the industry, while ensuring that subscribers receive the quality of service they deserve.
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