The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has unveiled an ambitious strategy to attract global manufacturers of smartphones, tablets and telecommunications equipment to establish production facilities in Nigeria, offering a range of policy incentives, including access to presidential waivers, tax holidays and specialised customs protocols.
The initiative, announced by the Chairman of the Commission, Chief Idris Ibikunle Olorunnimbe, is aimed at accelerating local manufacturing, reducing the cost of digital devices and expanding access to affordable technology for millions of Nigerians.
According to Olorunnimbe, the Commission is repositioning itself beyond its traditional regulatory role to become an active partner in Nigeria’s industrial and digital transformation.
“We are moving beyond regulation to co-create an industrial renaissance with investors who are ready to manufacture in Nigeria,” he said, stressing that strong regulation and market integrity are essential to making technology affordable and accessible.
“A phone is only truly affordable if it is genuine, safe, connects properly and comes with a warranty consumers can trust,” he added.
The NCC Chairman noted that although significant progress has been made in expanding telecommunications coverage across the country, the high cost of entry-level smartphones continues to prevent many Nigerians from fully participating in the digital economy.
He explained that by encouraging local production through targeted incentives, the Commission intends to lower retail prices and make smartphones, tablets and other communication devices more accessible to low-income consumers.
Olorunnimbe also challenged the conventional model of device ownership, arguing that Nigerians should no longer be expected to purchase mobile devices through a single upfront payment.
“We must retire the assumption that a Nigerian has to buy a phone outright in one payment. That is not how it works in most parts of the world,” he said, signalling the Commission’s support for more flexible consumer financing models.
As part of its broader digital inclusion agenda, the NCC plans to integrate locally manufactured devices into its ongoing initiative to zero-rate educational websites, allowing students and learners to access approved educational content without incurring data charges.
Under the proposed framework, locally produced smartphones, routers and MiFi devices would feature embedded links to national educational repositories and open-source vocational learning platforms, enabling users to access learning resources immediately after activating their devices.
The Commission also intends to promote the integration of digital government services into locally manufactured devices. Citizens would be able to access key public platforms, including civic registration services, tax portals and e-health applications, through secure, type-approved devices produced in Nigeria.
According to the Commission, the initiative is designed not only to improve internet access but also to ensure that digital connectivity translates into greater access to education, public services and economic opportunities, particularly for underserved communities.
Industry stakeholders have described the strategy as a significant step towards strengthening Nigeria’s digital economy and reducing dependence on imported technology. They believe local manufacturing will stimulate investment, create skilled jobs, deepen technology transfer and position Nigeria as a regional hub for telecommunications equipment production.
By linking industrial policy with digital inclusion, education and e-government services, the NCC is seeking to build a more resilient and self-reliant telecommunications ecosystem while making digital tools more affordable and accessible to all Nigerians.