The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has unveiled a package of incentives aimed at encouraging the local manufacture of smartphones, tablets and other telecommunications equipment as part of efforts to make digital devices more affordable and expand access to technology across the country.

Chairman of the NCC Governing Board, Chief Idris Ibikunle Olorunnimbe, said the Commission was taking a more active role in driving industrial growth by creating an enabling environment for investors to establish device manufacturing plants in Nigeria.

He said the initiative would be backed by policy measures, including tax holidays and streamlined customs processes, to lower production costs and boost local manufacturing capacity.

According to Olorunnimbe, effective regulation remains essential to ensuring consumers have access to quality and affordable digital devices.

“Regulation and market integrity are what make a market affordable in the first place. They are the precondition for it. A phone is only truly cheap if it is real, if it is safe, if it connects properly, and if it carries a warranty the buyer can rely on,” he said.

He observed that while Nigeria has recorded significant improvements in telecommunications coverage, the high cost of smartphones continues to limit digital participation for many citizens.

The NCC chairman said reducing the cost of devices would complement ongoing investments in network infrastructure and help bridge the country’s digital divide.

He also called for a shift from the traditional model of outright phone purchases, saying more flexible financing arrangements would make devices accessible to a larger segment of the population.

“Retire the assumption that a Nigerian must buy a phone outright, in one payment, on the day. That is not how it works anywhere else in the world,” he added.

As part of the broader strategy, Olorunnimbe said locally manufactured smartphones, routers and MiFi devices would be integrated into the Commission’s digital inclusion initiatives.

He explained that the devices are expected to come with built-in links to educational platforms under the NCC’s zero-rated education programme, allowing students and other users to access learning materials without incurring data charges.

The devices will also feature direct access to key government digital services, including civic registration, tax administration and e-health platforms, to improve citizens’ access to essential public services.

According to him, the initiative is designed not only to expand internet access but also to ensure that digital connectivity translates into better educational opportunities, improved public service delivery and greater economic participation.

The NCC said the policy reflects its commitment to promoting indigenous technology development while supporting Nigeria’s drive towards a more inclusive and self-reliant digital economy.