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NCC, Operators Disagree over New Licencees

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Eugene Juwah, EVC, NCC
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Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) service providers have warned the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) against licensing new operators in the country, arguing that the new operators will also face the constraints existing operators face that has made good quality services a nightmare for them.

The NCC said it will license seven InfraCos this year under its open broadband access model. The licensed InfraCos will operate in the six geopolitical zones of the country while one will operate in Lagos. Federal Government also plans to provide subsidy to the InfraCos from tax payers’ fund.

The Nation newspapers said the  Gbenga Adebayo, chairman, Association of Licensed Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ALTON) has  decried the harsh operating environment for incumbent operators occasioned by high energy cost, multiple taxation/regulation, forceful shut down of base transmission stations (BTS) by official of ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) and other challenges, insisting that if those obstacles are not dealth with, the new licencees will also be constrained to do business.

He said the membership of his group which started with 35 has declined to less than 12 over the past over one decade, arguing that if more investors are licensed to operate, since they will not be operating from the moon, they will inevitably go the way of their predecessors.

According to the Nation, the NCC disagreed with the operators.

Dr Eugene Juwah , executive vice chairman and chief executive officer, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), disagreed with the operators.

A visibly angry Juwah said he could not be seated as a regulator and allow the operators to make comments that will send wrong signals to both local and international investors. According to him, while it is true that there are challenges with power, operators have developed a way round it by procuring power generating sets.

He said the worrisome issue of service quality essentially has to do with business models of some of the operators.

He said: “People should not get sarcastic about the survivability of new licencees. We should not discourage people. It is a defeatists’ attitude and as a regulator, I will speak against it.”

The opportunity for the two bodies was provided by the Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigerian (ATCON’s) Telecoms Executives & Regulator’s Forum 2013 orgainsed in Lagos towards the end of last year


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Telecom

NCC Bars Ex-Officials from Joining Telecom Firms for 5 Years

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Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has introduced strict corporate governance rules that will bar its top officials from taking up roles in telecom companies they regulate until five years after leaving office.

NCC Bars Ex-Officials from Joining Telecom Firms for 5 Years

Under the new Corporate Governance Guidelines for the Communications Industry, the Chairman, Executive Vice-Chairman, and Board Commissioners, both executive and non-executive, are barred from being appointed to any position in a licensed telecom company until five years after their exit from the Commission.

Similarly, Directors of Departments at the NCC face a three-year cooling-off period before they can take jobs with any licensee under the Commission’s supervision.

The move, announced on August 11, 2025, seeks to enhance transparency, accountability, and ethical standards in Nigeria’s fast-growing telecommunications industry.

Departmental directors face a three-year cooling-off period before joining any licensee under the agency’s oversight.

This policy aims to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure impartial regulation.

By creating a clear separation between regulators and the industry, the NCC hopes to curb undue influence and maintain public trust.

]The guidelines reflect a global trend in regulatory bodies enforcing cooling-off periods.

Similar measures exist in industries like finance and energy to safeguard against regulatory capture.

For Nigeria’s telecom sector, this is a significant step toward aligning with international best practices.

The NCC’s new framework also targets telecom operators’ internal governance.

Board chairmen or vice-chairmen are barred from holding executive powers or serving as MD/CEO of a licensee.

Former board chairmen and non-executive directors must wait five years before assuming executive roles in the same company or its affiliates.

Additionally, no more than two family members can serve on a licensee’s board simultaneously.

These measures aim to promote balanced board structures and reduce nepotism.

Dr Aminu Maida, executive vice-chairman, NCC, emphasised the importance of these reforms.

“Corporate governance is no longer a soft requirement. It is now a strategic imperative,” he said during the guidelines’ launch in Lagos.

Maida highlighted that robust governance correlates with better business performance, citing an NCC internal review. Companies with strong governance frameworks consistently outperform peers in service delivery, financial management, and regulatory compliance.

Nigeria’s telecom sector is a cornerstone of its digital economy. With over 222 million active mobile subscriptions as of Q1 2025, the industry supports critical sectors like finance, healthcare, and education.

However, challenges like cybersecurity threats, energy shocks, and rising consumer demands have exposed governance weaknesses. The NCC’s new rules aim to address these by fostering transparency, accountability, and innovation.

The guidelines apply to all communications companies holding individual licences and paying Annual Operating Levies (AOL) under the AOL Regulations 2022.

The NCC has indicated flexibility in applying the rules across different licence categories, with phased compliance measures to be communicated in writing. While the rules may cause short-term disruptions for operators, the NCC insists that long-term benefits, like improved service quality and market trust, will outweigh these challenges.

 


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Airtel, Vodacom sign Network Infrastructure Agreement to Drive Digital Inclusion

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Airtel Africa and Vodacom Group have announced a strategic infrastructure sharing agreement in key markets including Mozambique, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), subject to regulatory approvals in the various countries.

The agreement marks a transformative milestone in promoting digital inclusion and expanding access to reliable connectivity across Africa.

The initial partnership focuses on sharing fibre networks and tower infrastructure, to accelerate the roll-out of digital services in these markets, increasing connectivity for customers while reducing operators’ infrastructure costs and improving speed to market.

By leveraging existing infrastructure, the collaboration aims to deliver improved connectivity, faster internet speeds, and more reliable services. This will not only enhance customer experience but also assist with providing access to digital services for a broader population, particularly those in underserved areas, helping to bridge the digital divide in Africa.

Vodacom Group’s chief executive officer Shameel Joosub said: “Providing connectivity to empower people is at the core of our strategy. Our partnership with Airtel Africa is a proactive step forward in creating a sustainable, inclusive, and connected digital future for the continent.

Through infrastructure sharing, we can provide cost-effective services to more people, more rapidly, ensuring that no one is left behind in the digital age. As we fulfil our ambition to connect 260 million customers by 2030, the need for scalable and cost-efficient network solutions becomes increasingly significant.

This partnership provides us with the opportunity to narrow the digital divide, empowering more individuals and communities through digitalisation across the continent. It is aligned with our purpose to connect for a better future,” concludes Joosub.

Airtel Africa’s chief executive officer Sunil Taldar said: “This partnership is aligned with our unwavering commitment to delighting our customers by always making our network available to them even in the remotest locations.

“Working with Vodacom, we will open greater access to digital and financial opportunities which will transform the lives of our customers while complying with all regulatory requirements.

“Even as competitors, it has become a business imperative for us to collaborate in the provision of critical infrastructure required to build resilient network with strong capacity to support the emerging digital technologies as well as the growing need for data-enabled products and services.

“Accelerating the deployment of fibre connectivity is a key enabler in the acceleration of 4G and 5G technologies in Africa to deliver the high-speed, low-latency, and reliable connections needed for modern digital applications.

“This partnership allows for further opportunities for both operators to enhance network performance, extend coverage, and increase mobile, fixed, and financial services leveraging a broader footprint on the continent.”


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Truecaller Crosses 100m Users in MEA Region

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Truecaller, a global caller ID and spam prevention platform, has reached 100 million active users in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, representing a 19% year-over-year increase.

According to the platform, the region’s main markets include Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Algeria, Ghana, and Jordan.

Truecaller is routinely utilised on 20% to 45% of connected cellphones in these areas, including Android and iOS devices, according to the business.

The app has gained traction across the African continent with its concept of resolving communication issues for individuals and businesses by blocking unsolicited calls.

It has also collaborated with local businesses, forming major partnerships including a recent cooperation with Telecom Egypt to change consumer communication and experience by providing safe, customised, and seamless calling experiences.

Truecaller’s CEO, Rishit Jhunjhunwala, stated that the service has grown organically in markets such as MEA and India due to the mobile first environment, which uses a user’s mobile number as the primary identifier of calls. He under-lined that the MEA market provides a growth-enabling environment.

“We’re continuing to strengthen our organisation and our partnerships in the region, because we believe that the MEA is poised for significant growth for many years ahead,” said Jhunjhunwala.


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