To keep pace with rapid technological advancements and foster innovation in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector, the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) convened a stakeholder meeting to review the Draft General Authorisation Framework (GAF).
The hybrid forum, held in Abuja on Thursday, was attended by captains of industry, executives of telecommunications companies, leaders and representatives of the Telecom Association, innovators and tech entrepreneurs, as well as management and staff of the NCC.
The initiative aims to overhaul traditional licensing approaches and introduce a more flexible, innovation-friendly regulatory framework.
In his welcome address, the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC), Dr. Aminu Maida, represented by Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, Barrister Remini Makama, described the forum as a significant step toward achieving a digitally inclusive Nigeria.
“The growth of the telecommunications sector in the last 24 years has been phenomenal. From liberalisation to broadband expansion and mobile technology adoption, the industry has seen over 79.65 per cent teledensity and 48.81 per cent broadband penetration as of May 2024.
“But we are now at a turning point where the nature of innovation demands a regulatory paradigm that is not only responsive but enabling,” Maida said.
The EVC noted that the General Authorisation Framework is NCC’s strategic response to these shifting dynamics.
“This reform introduces a flexible and responsible licensing approach structured to embrace emerging services that fall outside existing categories,” he explained.
According to him, the framework introduces three main concepts, which include Proof of Concept (PoC), aimed at validating novel ideas in real-world conditions; Regulatory Sandbox, for controlled testing of innovations such as open-brand trials; and Interim Service Authorisation (ISA), which is a temporary license for services not yet covered by current regulations.
“These models encourage responsible experimentation while safeguarding consumer rights and public interests, but regulation alone is not enough. Stakeholders, mobile network operators, service providers, OEMs, startups, civil society, and academia must all contribute to refining and implementing this framework,” he added.
Maida emphasised that the initiative also aligns with broader national development goals, including empowering youth and women in underserved communities, expanding access, and deepening the innovation value chain.
“Let us work together to ensure that no one is left behind. The future of Nigeria’s digital economy is here and unfolding before us. At the heart of this future is a robust, inclusive, and adaptive telecom ecosystem,” he said.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Director of Licensing and Authorisation at NCC, Usman Mamman, described the framework as a product of rigorous research and benchmarking of international best practices, including the UK’s Ofcom Sandbox model and Singapore’s IMDA testbeds.
“This session marks a pivotal step in our collective journey toward a more agile and innovation-driven communications sector.
“The GAF is our response to the emergence of new technologies and business models that no longer fit neatly into traditional license categories,” Mamman said.
He also emphasised that the proposed licensing mechanisms are time-bound, transparent, and data-driven, allowing the commission to gather critical insights for future regulatory decisions.
“The framework is not final. It is a living document that will be shaped by your feedback. We call on stakeholders to provide objective commentary on structure, clarity, and implementation to ensure this framework becomes a solid bridge between innovation and regulation.”
The General Authorisation Framework, when finalised, is expected to foster innovation by allowing controlled testing of new technologies and services, while the regulatory body studies associated technical, legal, and policy issues.
In essence, it’s a flexible licensing regime designed to accommodate new services for which specific licensing frameworks haven’t been established.
