Barely a year after the Nigerian government through the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) banned SIM card importation into the country, the policy has led to creation of business in excess of N55 billion in the country.
The Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Professor Umar Danbatta, who stated this at the just concluded second edition of the Nigerian Telecommunications Indigenous Content Expo (NTICE 2023) in Lagos, added that the policy has also eased forex demand by operators.
Following introduction of the National Policy for the Promotion of Indigenous Content in the Nigerian Telecommunications Sector (NPPIC) in 2021, a special purpose vehicle to implement the policy, National Office for Developing the Indigenous Telecoms Sector (NODITS) under the NCC has been promoting local content in the sector.
The NCC boss recognised NTICE as one of the achievements of NCC through NODITS, noting that it has served not only to promote Pillar number 5 (Strategic Partnering) of the Strategic Management Plan SMP 2020-2024 of the Commission but has also become the flagship indigenous content event for the industry.
He said that the Commission has incentivized the manufacturing of Corrugated Optical Duct (COD) that will be used to protect fibre infrastructure from the incessant cuts experienced by telecoms service providers.
He further reiterated the Commission’s resolve to continuously support Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and Innovators to promote talented young persons and ventures though Angel Investments, R&D support, exposure to Investors and sponsorship to local and international tech events.
He said: “Another key achievement of our policies is the ban on importation of whole-body SIM cards which was announced at the maiden NTICE event last year.
“This ban has not only eased the burden on our demand for foreign exchange but has also created business in excess of N55bn for the local SIM card manufacturers in Nigeria which in turn has created direct and indirect jobs.
“Nigeria with its rich history of innovation, resilience, and creativity as well as our diverse culture, talents, and perspectives has birthed solutions that uniquely cater for our challenges and aspirations.”
Meanwhile, Engineer Babagana Digima, Team Lead, NODITS , described the EXPO as a testament to NCC’s commitment to fostering homegrown solutions that not only drive economic prosperity but also propel us towards a future brimming with endless possibilities.
He said, “In an era where connectivity is the backbone of progress, where the digital realm intertwines with every facet of our lives, our nation’s telecom industry stands as a beacon of advancement.
“It is not just about communication, but about empowerment, education, healthcare, commerce, and beyond.
“As we gather here today, we recognize that the key to unlocking the immense potential lies in our ability to harness the wealth of indigenous content, to leverage our unique perspectives and talents, and to channel them towards the greater good.
“This expo is not just a congregation of like-minded individuals; it’s a nexus of innovation and creativity. It’s a platform where ideas are exchanged, partnerships are forged, and collaborations are born.
“It’s a space where the synergy of diverse minds transforms into actionable strategies that will propel us towards new horizons of economic growth and sustainable development.”
