GSMA Highlights Policy Reforms to Lift Nigeria's Economy
29/11/2018
Abuja, Nigeria: Modernising regulation and policy reform will be crucial to boosting Nigeria's digital economy and accelerating internet access for millions through increased mobile broadband penetration, according to a new report released by the GSMA. The report, Spotlight on Nigeria: Delivering a Digital Future , was launched at a GSMA industry event today, held in conjunction with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). The event brought together leaders from across the mobile industry with policymakers to discuss future regulation and how to enable the next-generation of 5G connectivity.
In the world we live in today, mobile communication is a cardinal tool of economic development, growth and integration, and the mobile industry is a key enabler of productivity across economies and societies, said Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Office (EVC/CEO), NCC. The mobile industry is not only a significant contributor to the economic activities of Nigeria, but also towards the growth of other sectors of the economy. The Nigerian Communications Commission has been, and continues to play a key role in the development of mobile communication in Nigeria, and I am delighted to be part of this event today. This provides and avenue for regulators, operators, investors, and other relevant stakeholders to examine, share and constructively exchange ideas.
Mobile connectivity has already improved the welfare of millions of Nigerians, opening the door to new digital possibilities and powering the country's economic development, said Akinwale Goodluck, Head of Sub-Saharan Africa, GSMA. For Nigeria to take full advantage of the next phase of its digital transformation, it's vital that collaboration between industry and government enables the right policy environment for millions more to benefit from ultra-fast mobile broadband. If policies don't keep pace with the needs of society and technological innovation, there is a risk that citizens will be left behind and productivity and competitiveness will suffer.
Mobile's Contribution to Economic Growth
GSMA research shows that the mobile market in Nigeria makes an important contribution to the economy. The mobile industry contributed $21 billion to GDP in 2017, representing 5.5 per cent of Nigeria's total GDP. In addition, the growth of Nigeria's digital economy resulted in the creation of nearly 500,000 direct and indirect jobs.
Accelerating Mobile Broadband Adoption
Growth in the adoption of digital services by government, businesses and consumers is having a positive impact on daily life in Nigeria. For the majority of Nigerians, mobile broadband is the first and only technology for accessing the internet, enabling better access to health, education and commercial opportunities, amongst other public services. Smartphone adoption has already risen to over 53 million connections, and 49 per cent of the population are currently connected by mobile technology, compared to less than one per cent who have a fixed-line connection.
However, the report concludes that there is still broad scope for Nigeria to increase its mobile penetration. Although more Nigerians are getting access to mobile broadband, the country lags regional peers in 4G adoption. Helping to accelerate adoption would enable more advanced services and create bigger societal impacts.
With increased spectrum harmonisation and licensing reform, the country's mobile penetration is forecast to rise to 55 per cent of the population by 2025, with 70 per cent having 3G connectivity and 17 per cent having access to 4G networks. Currently, only 44 per cent of mobile subscribers in Nigeria are using 3G technology and 4 per cent are using 4G technology, compared to over 18 per cent 4G penetration in South Africa and 16 per cent in Angola.
Harmonised Spectrum, Licensing Reforms Critical to Nigeria's Digital Future
The GSMA has identified support for and release of harmonised spectrum and a modernised licensing framework as fundamental building blocks for Nigeria's digital future. The harmonisation of 1427-1518 MHz and 3.3-3.6 GHz makes them critically important bands for mobile operators seeking to offer new mobile services to consumers and businesses. Making these bands available for assignment to mobile operators will be a core component in reinforcing Nigeria's position as Africa's leading mobile market.
With active participation in the ITU World Radiocommunication Conference 2019 (WRC-19) process, Nigeria is hugely influential. With a year to go until WRC-19, leading the region in support of identifying new IMT bands that 5G will benefit from, especially the 26GHz, 40GHz and 70GHz bands, will be crucial.
Licensing Updates to Promote Market Growth
Changes in the market and technologies have resulted in a licensing framework and licensing conditions in Nigeria that could benefit from a review and update; left as is, they could pose an impediment to future growth. A future-fit licensing regime will help promote market growth, boost investor confidence and enable increased connectivity.
Building on the progress already achieved by the NCC, the GSMA recommends the following reforms in its report:
Retire the Digital Mobile Licence, the National Carrier Licence and the International Gateway Licence;
Eliminate superseded conditions in the Unified Access Service Licence (UASL) and migrate many others towards a supplementary general UASL conditions document or to parallel regulations;
Transition to an indefinite duration for the UASL;
Guarantee a true unified approach to licensing, permitting licensees to offer the full range of services, as per the UA
LINK: | https://www.gsma.com/newsroom/press-release/gsma-highlights-policy-ref... |
See more stories from gsma |
More from GSMA
26/03/2024
China's Leading Mobile Operators First To Commercially Launch New Fraud Reducing Password Service, After Receiving GSMA Open Gateway Certification
GSMA welcomes CITIC Telecom, Huawei and ZTE as Channel Partners 26 March 2024, Beijing: China's three leading mobile operators - China Mobile, China Telec...
26/03/2024
China's 5G market is set to add almost $260 billion to the Chinese economy in 2030 with connections set to top 1 billion this year
At the Post-MWC Sharing Event in Beijing, leaders from the GSMA contextualised t...
20/03/2024
European Mobile Operators and GSMA Unveil a Pioneering Manifesto for Europe's Digital Future
A new digital infrastructure framework that fosters investment, innovation, and ...
19/03/2024
Maturing Global Mobile Money Market Hits $1.4tn in Transaction Value
New GSMA report finds mobile money is fueling economic growth and expansion of financial services in Sub-Saharan Africa. 19 March 2024, London: Mobile money ...
12/03/2024
Women in the Digital Economy Fund: USAID, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and Partners Launch WiDEF
NEW YORK, MARCH 12, 2024 - The Women in the Digital Economy Fund (WiDEF), a five...
04/03/2024
GSMA MWC Barcelona 2024 Closes with Over 101,000 Attendees
MWC Barcelona brought together connectivity leaders from 205 countries and territories, exploring industry topics including AI, the usage gap, GSMA Open Gateway...
28/02/2024
5G Momentum Continues with 1.6 Billion Connections Worldwide, Rising to 5.5 Billion by 2030, According to GSMA Intelligence
Industry opportunities driven by developments in 5G Standalone, 5G-Advanced, ent...
27/02/2024
GSMA and Shields Unveil New Commerce Platform to Help Telecoms Industry Meet Environmental and Financial Sustainability Targets
The GSMA Equipment Marketplace cloud-based platform will help telecommunication ...
27/02/2024
European Networks Leading Race to Net Zero with North America, MENA & LATAM Accelerating, New GSMA Climate Report Reveals
The GSMA's 2024 Mobile Net Zero report spotlights regional leaders in cuttin...
27/02/2024
Asisat Oshoala Calls on Governments to Improve Digital Literacy Initiatives and Close the Usage Gap
Six-time and reigning African Women's Footballer of the Year uses MWC Barcel...
26/02/2024
GSMA Open Gateway Launch in Germany: Mobile Operators Open up New Business Models with Network API Launch
Deutsche Telekom, O2 Telef nica and Vodafone are launching SIM Swap and Number V...
26/02/2024
GSMA Open Gateway Goes From Strength-to-Strength with Worldwide Commercial Launches, More Operators and New Go-to-Market Channels
More than 40 mobile operator networks across five continents have now commercial...
26/02/2024
GSMA MWC Barcelona Brings Industries Together for Four Days of Discussion and Debate on the Future of Connectivity
MWC Barcelona 2024 welcomes the most iconic names in connectivity for nine keyno...
26/02/2024
GSMA and UK FCDO Deepen their Commitment to Digital Development Through Renewed 37.3M Funding Partnership
New phase of the strategic partnership to support GSMA Mobile for Development...
22/02/2024
South African mobile operators announce new services to combat fraud, as part of GSMA Open Gateway initiative
Telecommunications operators Cell C, MTN, and Telkom welcome launch of two unive...
22/02/2024
Enhancing Security and Customer Experience, Indonesian Telecom Operators to Launch Three Service APIs Through the GSMA Open Gateway Initiative
Jakarta, 22 February 2024. As part of the global GSMA Open Gateway initiative, f...
06/02/2024
SPANISH MOBILE INDUSTRY TO LAUNCH ONLINE ANTI-FRAUD AND IDENTITY SERVICES THROUGH GSMA OPEN GATEWAY INITIATIVE
Orange, Telefonica, and Vodafone will open their mobile networks to developers w...
25/01/2024
GSMA unveils new keynote speakers and features for MWC Barcelona 2024
Speakers include leaders from Accenture, Dell Technologies, Microsoft and the United Nations; as well as Nobel Prize laureate, Sir Konstantin Sergeevich Novosel...
15/12/2023
GSMA HAILS GROUNDBREAKING SPECTRUM DECISIONS AT WRC-23
Spectrum decisions at the ITU's World Radiocommunication Conference 2023 clear the path for a bright digital future for billions worldwide 15th December 2...
11/12/2023
THE GSMA LAUNCHES ITS NEWEST INNOVATION FUND TO ADDRESS HUMANITARIAN CHALLENGES
Applications for the GSMA's Humanitarian Innovation Fund, which has distributed over £5 million since 2017, are now open to start-ups, SMEs and social enter...
08/12/2023
INDONESIA MUST ACCELERATE DELIVERY OF DIGITAL STRATEGY TO ACHIEVE GOVERNMENT'S TOP 10 GLOBAL ECONOMY BY 2030 AMBITIONS, SAYS GSMA REPORT
The new report from the GSMA, published at its Indonesia Digital Nations Summit ...
05/12/2023
GSMA M360 MENA COMMENCES IN RIYADH AS NEW REPORT CONFIRMS 5G IS DRIVING GDP GROWTH IN THE REGION
The GSMA celebrates the start of proceedings with the publication of its annual ...
28/11/2023
BRAZILIAN MOBILE INDUSTRY LAUNCHES THREE ANTI-FRAUD NETWORK SERVICES AND BECOMES PIONEER FOR GSMA OPEN GATEWAY
With this initiative, Claro, TIM, and Vivo will open their networks to developer...
23/11/2023
EUROPEAN MOBILE DATA TRAFFIC WILL TRIPLE IN NEXT FIVE YEARS, DRIVING CONTINUED PRESSURE ON NETWORK INVESTMENT, NEW GSMA REPORT PREDICTS
The GSMA's annual European Mobile Economy Report shows that mobile contribut...
09/11/2023
GSMA WARNS OF $14BN (IDR 216TN) PRODUCTIVITY LOSS TO INDONESIAN ECONOMY UNLESS FUTURE MOBILE SPECTRUM PRICES ARE SUSTAINABLE
New GSMA Intelligence research reveals mobile spectrum costs in Indonesia have r...
17/10/2023
GSMA MWC KIGALI OPENS ITS DOORS AS MOBILE OPERATORS AND POLICYMAKERS CONVENE TO ENABLE INVESTMENT AND CLOSE THE MOBILE USAGE GAP ACROSS AFRICA
The GSMA shared the findings of its annual Mobile Economy Sub-Saharan Africa Rep...
11/10/2023
SMARTPHONE OWNERS ARE NOW THE GLOBAL MAJORITY, NEW GSMA REPORT REVEALS
The GSMA's sixth annual State of Mobile Internet Connectivity Report includes several first-time pieces of global and regional analysis, including the numbe...
09/10/2023
HIS EXCELLENCY PRESIDENT PAUL KAGAME TO OPEN MWC KIGALI 2023
Secure your spot and register today to attend MWC Kigali, 17-19 October 2023 9 October 2023, London: The GSMA is delighted to announce that His Excellency Pau...
29/09/2023
A Lively MWC Las Vegas in Partnership With CTIA Lit Up Debate Across the Mobile Ecosystem, Vertical Industries and Start-ups
The 2023 edition of GSMA MWC Las Vegas saw a rise in attendees from vertical ind...
26/09/2023
MWC LAS VEGAS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CTIA KICKS OFF WITH A SPOTLIGHT ON 5G ACCELERATION, ENTERPRISE MOBILITY, AGE OF AI AND DIGITAL EVERYTHING
5G set to become the dominant mobile technology in North America by the end of 2...
18/09/2023
MWC BARCELONA 2023 EXCEEDS PRE-EVENT EXPECTATIONS TO GENERATE 461mn FOR BARCELONA'S ECONOMY
World's largest and most influential connectivity event also exceeded pre-ev...
16/09/2023
IMPROVEMENTS IN MOBILE CONNECTIVITY CORRELATE TO GREATER IMPACT TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS, ACCORDING TO GSMA REPORT
The GSMA's eighth SDG impact report, published at the halfway point to the 2...
07/09/2023
GSMA M360 APAC RETURNS WITH DEBUT EDITION IN SEOUL SOUTH KOREA
The annual conference opens with the launch of the GSMA's Digital Societies in Asia Pacific Report 7 September 2023, Seoul: The GSMA M360 APAC event return...
27/07/2023
GSMA MWC LAS VEGAS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CTIA: THE MUST-ATTEND EVENT FOR MOBILE AND TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRIES
Registration is open for MWC Las Vegas press passes 27 July 2023, London: The G...
25/07/2023
ASIA PACIFIC TO SEE TENFOLD RISE IN 5G MOBILE CONNECTIONS BY 2030 AS DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION GATHERS PACE, GSMA REPORT REVEALS
However, despite 96% mobile broadband coverage across the region, barriers in ce...
24/07/2023
THE MOBILE ECONOMY ASIA PACIFIC REPORT
Asia Pacific to see tenfold rise in 5G mobile connections by 2030 as digital transformation gathers pace, GSMA report reveals However, despite 96% mobile broad...
12/07/2023
GSMA AND EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY LAUNCH NEW COMMUNICATIONS INNOVATION PARTNERSHIP
New Collaboration Will Look to Accelerate Advancements in Satellite and Terrestrial Communications Network Integration 12 July 2023, OXFORDSHIRE: The GSMA and ...
30/06/2023
MWC SHANGHAI 2023 WRAPS UP 10TH ANNIVERSARY EVENT AFTER THREE DAYS OF COLLABORATION, INSIGHTS AND INNOVATION
MWC Shanghai 2023 welcomed nearly 37,000 delegates from 115 countries and territ...
28/06/2023
GSMA MWC SHANGHAI OPENS ITS DOORS FOR 10th ANNIVERSARY EDITION
MWC Shanghai convenes global leaders from the mobile ecosystem at the SNIEC to celebrate the first fully in-person iteration of the event since 2019 28 June 20...
27/06/2023
MOBILE INDUSTRY EYES FIVE BILLION DORMANT' PHONES SITTING IN DESK DRAWERS FOR REUSE OR RECYCLING
12 leading global operators and the GSMA agree pace-setting ambitions in the ind...
26/06/2023
CHINA'S THREE LARGEST MOBILE OPERATORS JOIN GSMA OPEN GATEWAY INITIATIVE
Global initiative to help mobile industry, developers and cloud providers collaborate on development of universal network APIs now supported across all continen...
25/06/2023
GSMA WELCOMES LEADING CHINESE OPERATORS TO GLOBAL OPEN GATEWAY INITIATIVE AHEAD OF MWC SHANGHAI
25 June 2023, Shanghai: The GSMA today hosted a press conference ahead of MWC Sh...
31/05/2023
100 MILLION WOMEN PER YEAR WILL NEED TO ADOPT MOBILE INTERNET TO CLOSE THE GENDER GAP BY 2030, GSMA REPORT REVEALS
The sixth annual Mobile Gender Gap Report evaluates mobile ownership and mobile ...
19/05/2023
Telecom sector joins forces in call for new policies to drive EU connectivity leadership
Brussels, London, 19 May 2023 - The GSMA and ETNO, industry associations represe...