Telecom
NCC to Review ETA, Threatens Sanctions against Non-Typed Approved Devices
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) said it will carry out upward review of costs payable for Equipment Type Approval (ETA), and threatened severe sanctions against any voice or data operator in the telecoms industry, found with non-typed approved information telecommunication infrastructure.
Equipment Type Approval is one of the key regulatory functions the Commission is saddled with as enshrined in the Nigerian Communications Act 2003 section 132, which states that, “Licensed service or facilities providers, equipment manufacturers or suppliers shall obtain type approval certificates from the Commission in respect to their communications equipment or facilities prior to installation or sale in Nigeria”.
The nation’s telecom regulator, in justifying the new measure, said that costs of ETA have remained same in the last 10 years; which makes it almost the last sector to carry out such review in the country.
Presently, minor equipment ETA costs less than N300,000 while the major equipment type costs N550,000
Dr. Eugene Juwah, executive vice chairman (NCC) at the commission’s organised sensitization workshop on ETA in Lagos Thursday, said that the workshop aimed at informing and educating stakeholders in particular and the general public on the need to ensure that, all telecom equipment used in the Nigerian market are fully approved by the Commission to ensure safety and compliance with international standards.
Juwah, represented by Dr. Balarabe Sani, director, Technical Standard and Network Integrity (NCC) told the stakeholders that the Commission is aware of the proliferation of sub-standard phones and other equipment by unpatriotic people in the society, which are not only detrimental to human health but also contribute to the poor quality of service in the industry.
He made it clear that it remains a punishable offence to import or sale communications equipment prior to obtaining Type Approval certificate from the Commission.
Thus, the EVC added that NCC has strengthened compliance monitoring and enforcement activities of the Commission by creating a full fledge department headed by a director.
“This is aimed at improving our surveillance activities and to ensure full compliance to standards by all stakeholders,” he said.
In a lead paper presented on behalf of Dr, Sani, Engineer Bako Wakil, head, Wireless Network (NCC), defined ETA as “an administrative procedure of technical tests and vetting applied to items of telecommunications equipment before they can be sold, interconnected with the public network or used for the purpose of communication”.
According to him, it is primarily aimed at ensuring that communications equipment intended for the Nigerian market has been fully complied with Nigerian and international standards as it relates to Electromagnetic Radiation, Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) and Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) for human safety and other regulatory key performance indicators for the promotion of better quality of service.
The Director listed eligible applicants to include equipment vendors, Original Equipment manufacturers (OEMs), network operators, type approved consultants/agents, accredited laboratories and any legitimate entity that has legal binding in Nigeria.
At the recently concluded NextNow Business Forum in Victoria Island, MTN Nigeria electrified the business community with a live demonstration of its forthcoming Communication Platform as a Service (CPaaS), a solution engineered to redefine how Nigerian enterprises connect with their customers.
Unlike traditional communication systems, MTN’s CPaaS is built for the realities of a mobile-first market. The platform unifies SMS, voice, WhatsApp, email, and more into a single, intuitive interface. This approach is especially significant in Nigeria, with over 107 million internet users, 45.4% of the total population, according to Data Report. This figure underscores the necessity for businesses to meet customers where they are.
During the demo, attendees witnessed how CPaaS enables two-way, real-time conversations between brands and customers. The platform’s support for rich media, instant analytics, and seamless integration with business workflows drew particular attention. These features are designed to empower businesses with data-driven insights and the agility to personalise every interaction, whether it’s a service notification, marketing campaign, or customer support exchange.
Akinbulejo Onabolu, Head of Enterprise Segment at MTN Nigeria, articulated the vision: “CPaaS gives enterprises the flexibility to interact with their customers on their preferred platforms; whether it’s chat, voice, or messaging, in a way that feels personal and immediate. We’re looking forward to the value this will unlock for businesses across industries once it launches.”
The fireside chat added depth to the conversation, with Omowunmi Olatunbosun, Head of SME Segment at MTN Nigeria, and Stephen Agbi of Bayobab, highlighting how digital engagement bridges the gap between businesses and audiences.
They emphasised that today’s consumers demand immediacy, relevance, and ease, qualities that CPaaS is built to deliver.
The stakes for digital transformation in Nigeria are high. In a report by Punch, the country’s enterprise tech market is projected to reach $22 billion by 2027, reflecting a surge in demand for scalable, cloud-based solutions that drive efficiency and customer loyalty.
The CPAAS Acceleration Alliance have estimated that globally, the CPaaS market is expected to grow from $14.7 billion in 2025 to $72.4 billion by 2035, at a compound annual growth rate of 18.4%, a testament to the platform’s transformative potential.
The event’s closing keynote from META’s Korhan Yunak reinforced the strategic value of digital channels like WhatsApp, which are now indispensable for business communication and engagement at scale.
As MTN Nigeria prepares for the Q3 2025 launch, the anticipation is unmistakable. With its promise of flexibility, intelligence, and seamless integration, MTN’s CPaaS platform is set to become the backbone of next-generation business-customer engagement in Nigeria, enabling enterprises to not just communicate but to connect, adapt, and grow in a digital-first era.
MTN Uganda is seeking input from stakeholders on a plan to structurally separate its mobile money service, MoMo, from its core telecoms business.
According to the company, the proposed change will be discussed at the upcoming extraordinary general meeting on July 2.
If approved, the telco’s fintech business will be run by a new company controlled by MTN Group Fintech Holdings B.V. and a trust benefiting minority shareholders following a merger.
Additionally, the restructuring also aligns with MTN Group’s ambition 2025 strategy which aims to unlock value, attract new investors, and strengthen regulatory compliance by creating standalone fintech entities in Uganda, Ghana, and Nigeria.
The company’s fintech division has over 13 million customers, with an 18.4% revenue increase in the first quarter of 2025, driven by 19.0% growth in mobile money services, 19.8% growth in transaction volumes, and a 31.4% increase in transaction value.
Reports say the decision is part of the telco’s compliance with the National Payment Systems Act 2020, which mandates mobile money businesses to operate as standalone entities, and to align with MTN Group’s regional fintech strategy.
MTN Uganda, which is led by CEO Sylvia Mulinge, highlighted that the implementation of the proposed transaction will be subjected to a number of conditions and regulatory procedures.
“The implementation of the proposed transaction shall be subject to a number of conditions, including the company and MTN MoMo receiving all required regulatory approvals and no-objections and complying with any regulatory conditions,” said MTN Uganda in notice.
Netflix has announced plans to invest more than €1 billion in Spanish film and television productions over the next four years, reinforcing its commitment to Spain as a key creative hub in Europe.
The announcement was made by co-chief executive Ted Sarandos at an event held at Netflix’s production studios near Madrid, celebrating the company’s 10-year presence in the country.
Sarandos emphasized that the investment would contribute significantly to Spain’s economy, create jobs, and enable the streaming platform to produce more local content. He was joined by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in unveiling the initiative.
Netflix first established its international production studios in Madrid in 2019, following the success of the Spanish-language hit series Money Heist.
Since then, its 22,000-square-meter facility has become one of Netflix’s major production centers within the European Union.
The company currently supports over 20,000 jobs in Spain, highlighting the nation’s growing influence in global entertainment.
The investment reflects Netflix’s ongoing strategy to expand its presence in European markets through original content and local talent.
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