Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has unveiled its General Authorisation Framework, GAF, to enhance growth in the industry and empower underserved communities.
The commission did the unveiling during a stakeholders engagement for the Nigerian Telecoms Industry in Abuja, Thursday.
The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the event brought together, key players from the telecommunications sector to discuss the future of digital innovation in Nigeria.
Executive Vice-Chairman, EVC, NCC, Dr Aminu Maida, said the sector had become a symbol of innovation and progress, revolutionising communication, improving access to information and reshaping business operations.
Maida, represented by the Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, Rimini Makama, highlighted the tremendous progress made in the telecommunications sector in the last 24 years.
He noted that the sector is at a turning point, where disruptive innovations are accelerating the evolution of the communications ecosystem.
“This progress has been driven by the rapid uptake of mobile technologies, surging data consumption and increasing appetite for digital services.
“We are now at a turning point where the nature of innovation demands a regulatory paradigm that is not only responsive but enabling.
“Broadband penetration continues to grow, while digital literacy is on the rise,” he said.
According to him, these are creating a solid foundation for a vibrant digital economy driven by accessibility, innovation and inclusivity.
Maida said technological innovation is accelerating across the world and the nation.
He emphasised the need for a regulatory paradigm that is not only responsive, but enabling.
He said it would allow innovators to experiment without unnecessary restrictions, adding that the framework was introduced as a key initiative to achieve this goal.
“The framework has introduced three key instruments that would provide a platform for innovators to test and validate their ideas, assess risks and measure outcomes before deployment.
“The success of the framework depends on the active participation of stakeholders, including mobile network operators, service providers, infrastructure companies, OEMs, startups, civil society and academia,” he said.
The EVC said the framework aims to promote inclusive innovation, expand access, close connectivity gaps and empower underserved communities.
“This is an objective that lies at the core of NCC’s latest initiative, the General Authorisation Framework.
“By adopting this approach, we are providing a platform for innovators of various sizes, whether they are startups or established companies, to demonstrate feasibility, assess risk and measure outcomes before deployment.
“This model encourages experimentation and responsible innovation, while safeguarding consumer rights and public interest,” he said.
Maida expressed optimism that the stakeholder engagement would spark curiosity, refine the collective vision and accelerate the journey towards a more connected, innovative and prosperous Nigeria.
He called for collaboration and partnership to refine the approach and ensure that it works for Nigeria.
He said the future of Nigeria’s digital economy is unfolding rapidly, with the communications sector at the heart of this future.
Earlier, NCC’s Director, Licensing and Authorisation Department, Mr Usman Mamman, said GAF was the outcome of extensive research, cross-departmental collaboration and evaluation of global best practices, and local industry dynamics.
Mamman described it as a flexible and forward-looking approach to licensing that promotes innovation, while ensuring regulatory oversight, consumer protection and market integrity.
According to him, NCC conducted an internal review of recent service applications and pilot proposals, revealing a growing need for a flexible pathway to test new and emerging ideas.
He said a benchmark study was also carried out to learn from other countries, including UK’s Ofcom Sandbox model and Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority, MDA, testbeds.
“This shows a growing need for a flexible and well-structured pathway to test new and emerging ideas,” he said.
He called on stakeholders to ensure that the framework becomes a solid bridge between innovation and regulation, between start-up visionaries and established players, and between present limitations and future possibilities. NAN
