*Framework aligns with national digital economy policies– Mamman
We are now at a turning point where the nature of innovation demands a regulatory paradigm that is not only responsive but enabling- Maida
By Olawale Lamina
The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has officially presented a new licensing framework which aims to boost innovation and enhance opportunities for startups and technology-driven enterprises within the telecoms ecosystem.
The Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, made the disclosure in a speech at a stakeholders’ forum on the Draft General Authorisation Framework held on Thursday in Abuja.
Represented by the Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management, Barrister Rimini Makama, the NCC boss explained that the General Authorisation Framework was designed with an intention to present a more flexible and responsive approach to telecom licensing, recognising and accommodating emerging services not captured under the existing plan.
Maida said that, “We are now at a turning point where the nature of innovation demands a regulatory paradigm that is not only responsive but enabling.”
He pointed out that the new framework introduces key regulatory instruments, which include Proof-of-Concept pilots (to test novel solutions in real-world conditions); a Regulatory Sandbox, ( to allow controlled testing of ideas like Open RAN and spectrum sharing); and an Interim Service Authorisation which focuses on services that fall outside current licensing categories.
Maida emphasized that the itemized tools will provide innovators, startups or large firms, a safe environment to demonstrate feasibility, assess risks, and validate ideas before going to market, adding that, “This model encourages experimentation and responsible innovation while safeguarding consumer rights and public interest.”
Maida who canvassed the support of industry players underscored the pivotal role of stakeholders collaboration towards achieving the framework success.
He appealed to a cross section of stakeholders, including mobile network operators, service providers, infrastructure companies, OEMs, academia, and civil society to contribute their knowledge toward refining the regulatory model.
Dr. Maida assured that, “The future of Nigeria’s digital economy is no longer distant. It is unfolding right before us. And at the heart of this future is the communications sector—our shared infrastructure for innovation, inclusion, and economic advancement.” .
In his separate address, the Director of Licensing and Authorisation at the NCC, Usman Mamman, stated that the draft framework evolved through cross-departmental collaboration, internal reviews of recent service applications, and international benchmarking.
He explained that, “A Benchmark Study was carried out to learn how other Countries support innovation, including the UK’s Ofcom Sandbox model and Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority testbeds. These examples helped us understand how to promote innovation in a way that still meets regulatory goals.
“The proposed framework aligns with national digital economy policies, such as the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, the National Broadband Plan, and the wider goals of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003.”
Mamman stated further that NCC succeeded in discovering increasing number of novel service requests that could not be captured under existing categories,which necessitated the need for a stronger licensing model.
According to him, the proposed framework had factored in safeguards including data protection, cybersecurity measures, and customer information policies designed to bring about a responsible deployment of new technologies.
Participants at the presentation include stakeholders from across the telecom industry, regulatory bodies, and the tech industry. They were called upon to make recommendations that could help synergize the framework with national development objectives.
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