Telecommunication operators in Nigeria have asked Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for permission to increase their tariff for voice and data services to enable them cushion the harsh operating climate.

This is coming two months after an earlier letter to the industry regulator to demand for tariff adjustment.

They are appealing to the regulator to understand that yielding to their demand will not only arrest the prevalent loss of revenues among the telcos but also steady the sector towards sustaining its appreciable contribution to the growth of gross domestic product, GDP.

The telcos gave their reasons at a special reception hosted by the industry players under the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), in Lagos.

Mr. Tony Izuagbe Emoekpere, president, ATCON, emphasized the association’s commitment to working with the NCC.

He said: “I welcome the Executive Vice-Chairman, EVC to our industry, Dr. Aminu Maina. It’s a traditional event that we always do at ATCON to host all key stakeholders and we believe that the EVC of NCC is a major stakeholder in our industry.

“We do this from time to time and we’re very privileged and honoured to have him here in our presence.

“We pledge to continue to work with the Commission as we have done in the past.

He highlighted ATCON’s long standing role in representing industry interests and facilitating dialogue between regulators and operators.

A new global coalition made up of the World Bank Group, the ITU and the WEF Edison Alliance have been formed to drive innovative solutions to boost handset affordability for some of the world’s poorest populations.

According to GSMA, the coalition will collaborate to improve access to affordable internet-enabled devices to close the ‘Usage Gap’, which holds back around three billion people worldwide from maximising their potential in the global digital economy.

Mobile remains the primary – and often only – way people in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) access the internet, accounting for 84% of broadband connections in 2023.

Yet three billion people – 38% of the world’s population – live in areas covered by mobile internet but do not use it due to barriers, including digital literacy and skills, lack of relevant content, online safety and access. Handset affordability is often recognised as the most significant barrier to get people online.

The new coalition will assess multiple ‘levers’ to reduce the cost of entry into the digital economy for low-income populations, with particular focus on LMICs and areas where handset affordability presents the highest barrier to getting online, such as in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

By exploring new solutions including ‘de-risking’ financing mechanisms, with the support of the World Bank Group, the coalition will enhance and complement ongoing efforts to expand digital access and affordability.

Going forward, the GSMA will continue to facilitate close collaboration between coalition members to share learnings, asses, and deploy tailored innovative models that can effectively narrow the usage gap.

Mats Granryd, director general of the GSMA, said: “Mobile has helped billions of people worldwide to play an active role in our increasingly digital world, but the cost of entry can still be too high for many on low incomes. Together with global mobile operators, and the support of the World Bank Group and other key coalition members, we’re determined to act on this issue.”

“By building creative solutions to bring mobile internet into the hands of those who need it the most, we believe we can make real strides towards closing the Usage Gap and help millions more maximise their potential by getting online.”

Guangzhe Chen, vice president for Infrastructure from the World Bank said: “Making internet connected devices more affordable is critical to accelerating digitalization in developing countries and ensuring no one is left behind.

“We’ve seen the power of digital technologies to unlock growth and job creation and to ease access to education and health services, but people must first be connected to make this a reality. This coalition brings together key players across industry and the development community to help bring this aspiration to life.”

Doreen Bogdan-Martin, secretary general of the ITU added: “In an age of unimaginable digital opportunities, devices are still out of reach for too many. With the 2025 Broadband Commission affordability target on the horizon, this new global coalition is an excellent complement to the work of the Commission’s Working Group on Smartphone Access.

It has the power to accelerate affordability and bring us one step closer to universal meaningful connectivity, a cornerstone of ITU’s mission and our digital future.”

The announcement of the Handset Affordability Coalition represents a tangible commitment from the mobile industry towards tackling the most substantial barrier to mobile adoption worldwide, and is backed by the GSMA’s Breaking Barriers campaign, which calls for greater focus and collaboration between governments and the mobile industry to address the multiple challenges holding back individuals from getting online.

Bosun Tijani, minister of Communications and Digital Economy, has said that the digital economy sector is projected to generate up to N18.3 billion by 2026 with the proposed Nigerian Digital Economy and e-Governance Bill.

Bosun Tijani, minister of Communications and Digital Economy,

Tijani who stated this at a media briefing in Abuja, canvassed support for the national bill, emphasizing that the bill, once enacted, would establish a legal framework to expedite advancements in the digital economy agenda.

Describing the digital economy sector as the “backbone of modern economies, he also termed it a crucial element for any nation’s prosperity.

Tijani alluded to the success of Nigerian unicorn companies like Flutterwave, Jumia, Andela, and Interswitch as evidence of the potential of digital economy to significantly elevate the country.

The minister highlighted some of the importance of the bill to include, fostering job creation within the tech sector, addressing current deficits, and providing a regulatory framework to spur growth and innovation.

Malam Kashifu Inuwa, director-general, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), stressed the bill’s role in enhancing digital economy utilization across government and private sectors.

Represented by Emmanuel Elder, an acting director, he stressed the bill’s comprehensive nature, spanning 16 parts and over 60 sections, aimed at bolstering digital transactions, consumer protection, and promoting technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence and blockchains.

The DG NITDA added that the bill aims to facilitate the achievement of Nigeria’s goals, particularly under the current government.

The committee heads in the Senate and House of Representatives promised legislative support for the bill’s adoption and implementation.