Telecom
NCC Extols Economic Benefits of AfCFTA Agreement
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and other industry stakeholders have extolled the economic benefits accruable to the country from the recently rectified African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement.
AfCFTA is an initiative of the Africa Union with the main objective of creating a single continental market for goods and services, in addition to facilitating free movement of investment and people across the entire African continent.
Nigeria joined the list of African countries to sign the trade pact when President Muhammadu Buhari on July 7th, 2019,endorsed the AfCFTA Agreement at the AUSummit in Niamey, Niger.
Professor Umar Garba Danbatta, executive vice chairman/ceo, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) speaking at a two-day workshop with the theme; “Improving Nigeria’s communication industry competitiveness for the AFCFTA initiative”, was organised by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), in collaboration with the Nigerian Office for Trade Negotiation (NOTN). stated that the AfCFTA Agreement will lead to about 60% boost in intra-African trade by 2022.
Danbatta who was represented by, Alhaji Muhammad Babajika, director of Licensing and Authorization, NCC explained that only 16% of international trade by African countries takes place between African countries, according a study by the African Development Bank in 2014.
He noted that the ongoing workshop is aimed at examining how to improve the competitiveness of the over $70 billion Nigerian Communications sector market for the Continental Free Trade Area.
He said, “The workshop is to draw the attention of industry stakeholders to the need to fully appreciate the business implications of the AfCFTA, promote a deep understanding of the AfCFTA Initiative by industry stakeholders, initiate and lead discussions on areas of comparative advantage for the…
“Nigerian telecoms stakeholders, encourage industry stakeholders on the need to seek and exploit opportunities that will emerge in the operational phase of the AfCFTA and to use the workshops as an avenue for generating feedback, identifying possible areas of interest for industry stakeholders and evolving a Roadmap for the future trajectory of the industry in the context of the Continental Free Trade Area.
“The workshop is a key element of the Governments’ institutional framework for driving Nigeria’s trade policy initiatives the Federal Government’s aspirations to advance Nigeria’s economic development through continuous encouragement of pro-trade, pro-business, pro-investment and pro-export measures are in sync with the mandate of the NCC to stimulate investment and economic activity by protecting the interest of the Government, investors and consumers within the Nigerian Communications ecosystem,” he said.
Earlier, Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye, chairman, board of Nigerian Communications Commission, said that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA) arrangement will extend access of communications services to 1.2 billion people across the African continent.
He said that the agreement is a big deal for the sector hence stakeholders should tap into it.
According to Durojaiye, there is no limit to the achievement by innovative operators/investors in terms of business opportunities with a larger proportion of the population made up of young people, whose hunger for data and mobile services continues to grow.
He noted that in line with the Federal Government’s objectives, NCC is committed to ensuring that the sector continues to improve on its contribution to GDP and by extension the Nigerian economy.
“Through its direct contribution to the GDP and the indirect contribution to the performance of other sectors, the Telecommunication sector is indeed a facilitator of economic development.
“This sensitization workshop is to engage with stakeholders, with a view towards crafting achievable recommendations and solutions that will guarantee positive growth, development and prosperity for our industry, the Nigerian economy, and the African continent.
“Just the way we recognize the opportunities for investors in the African market, we also know that there are challenges not to say threats.
“Operators and investors within the Communications ecosystem must fully appreciate these dynamics, in order to ensure that they prepare adequately for them.
“At the end of the workshops, we expect to come out more informed about the AfCFTA Initiative, and better prepared to take advantage of the opportunities that lie ahead.
“We believe that with good planning and implementation, Nigeria and the African continent will be better off with the Continental Free Trade Area arrangement.
“African countries who are signatory to the trade should adopt and evolve our own indigenous programme of development, he said.
Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor, Lagos State, on his part, said the AFCFTA initiative would facilitate free movement of investment and people across the African continent, adding that it would provide the opportunity for Africa to create the world’s largest free trade area.
The Governor, represented by the Hakeem Popoola Fahm, commissioner for Science and Technology, Lagos State, said the trade agreement marks a new dawn to Africa’s economic transformation, explaining that Nigeria’s economy stands to benefit with the creation of this single market.
He urged the Nigeria communication industry to leverage on the provisions of AFCFTA to the advantage of Nigeria’s telecom industry, saying it remains one of the major factors to fully drive the digital economic revolution in the country.
“It is a new hope for boosting Intra-Africa trade across African countries with a combined population of the people.
“The anticipated benefits will only remain a mirage if we fail to prepare adequately by repositioning the key sectors of our economy to be competitive and able to take optimum advantage of the opportunities presented by new market.
“To enhance the sectors competitiveness in the emerging single market, a lot of efforts must be put into improving the efficiency of service delivery,” he said.
In a bid to foster love and community engagement, QNET, a wellness and lifestyle focused direct-selling company, partnered with Rhythm FM Lagos for a special Valentine’s Day radio show.
This interactive event delighted listeners with heartwarming conversations, engaging games, and exciting giveaways of exclusive QNET products, including the Chi Pendant 4, Bernhard H. Mayer watches, Amezcua E-Guard X, and the Edg3 Plus nutritional supplement.
Valentine’s Day, celebrated annually on February 14, has become a significant cultural event worldwide. In Nigeria, the celebration of love and friendship has seen increased participation, with over 60% of Nigerians marking the occasion through various forms of expression, from gifting to community activities (Statista, 2024). Embracing this spirit, the QNET radio show encouraged listeners to share cherished experiences, fostering emotional connections and meaningful engagement with the audience.
Biram Fall, Regional General Manager of QNET Sub-Saharan Africa, commented, “QNET’s mission revolves around love, connection, and giving. Through this show, we connected with our audience in a fun, heartfelt way, spreading positivity while celebrating this special day. The enthusiastic response and high levels of interaction from our listeners were truly inspiring. We look forward to hosting more initiatives that build on this success.”
The Valentine’s Day radio show aligns with QNET’s global theme for 2025, “Together We Rise,” emphasizing the importance of creating strong and meaningful connections between the brand and its stakeholders.
“As part of its commitment to the Nigerian market, QNET continues to raise awareness about its direct-selling business model, which supports over 5 million entrepreneurs globally (World Federation of Direct Selling Associations, 2024) and positions itself as a trusted provider of high-quality lifestyle and wellness products.
Akeem Ajisafe, CEO of Transblue Limited, added, “QNET is dedicated to building meaningful relationships.
“This radio show was a fantastic opportunity to celebrate love and engage with our Nigerian audience. Valentine’s Day is about giving and sharing, and through this initiative, we created memorable experiences while reinforcing our commitment to enriching lives with premium wellness products.
“We’re excited to deepen these connections and expand our footprint in Nigeria.”
QNET is a purpose-driven direct-selling company guided by the Raise Yourself to Help Mankind (RYTHM) principle, central to its core values. The company remains committed to positively impacting communities through innovative initiatives that foster connection and engagement, continuing its mission to enrich lives across Nigeria and beyond.
For more information about QNET and its initiatives, please visit QNET’s official website.
Karl Toriola, chief executive, MTN Nigeria has defended recent tariff hikes by mobile network operators, stating they are essential for the “survival” of the telecoms industry in Nigeria, despite significant criticism.
Karl Toriola, chief executive, MTN Nigeria
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) granted mobile network operators permission to raise tariffs by up to 50% last month, a change reportedly implemented on 11 February.
The increase has sparked public outrage, as mobile connectivity has become a vital necessity in daily life across the West African nation.
In an interview with Developing Telecoms, Toriola pushed back against criticism that the price surge was excessive, arguing that tariffs should have increased by approximately 300% to reflect the naira’s sharp devaluation and the country’s soaring inflation.
Addressing the impact of currency devaluation, Toriola emphasised that MTN purchases network equipment and software in US dollars, a process that has become significantly more expensive. With the naira’s decline, operators are now receiving three times fewer dollars than they did in 2023, making operations more challenging.
In February 2023, businesses could exchange 460 naira for one US dollar, but the currency has since devalued sharply. At the time of writing, a single dollar was worth 1,510 naira.
As Nigeria grapples with the sharp devaluation, MTN has been severely affected.
The company was technically bankrupt in 2023 as its liabilities surpassed its assets—a deeply concerning issue for the wider MTN Group, as Nigeria remains one of its highest revenue-generating markets.
“Because of these factors, we’ve seen our costs rise dramatically. The cost of leasing tower space and supplying energy to cell sites increased by 120% in the first three quarters of 2024. So, in comparison, a 50% tariff increase is not that high,” said Toriola.
The IoT West Africa & Data Centre Cloud Expo 2025, co-located with Power and Water Nigeria, is poised to play a crucial role in boosting Africa’s digital economy, projected to reach $180 billion by 2025 and contribute 5.2% to the continent’s GDP.
Organized by Vertex Next, the three-day event will take place from May 13th to 15th, 2025, at the Balmoral Convention Centre, Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos. It will convene government leaders, industry experts, investors, and innovators to explore the latest advancements in IoT, AI, cloud computing, digital infrastructure, and energy solutions.
In a statement made available to journalists in Lagos, Vertex Next Managing Director, Shitij Taneja, stated that this influential event will significantly contribute to the continent’s digital economic growth.
He assured that the expo will feature a comprehensive conference program focused on the transformative power of IoT, AI, and digital technologies across various African industries.
According to Taneja, discussions will center on how these technologies drive economic expansion, improve connectivity, and increase efficiency in key sectors like telecom, energy, finance, and e-commerce. Government officials and business leaders are also expected to collaborate on strategies for scaling digital infrastructure and leveraging data for innovation and sustainable development.
As demand for secure, efficient, and scalable digital infrastructure surges, Africa’s data center market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 12% through 2030, reaching a valuation of over $5 billion.
The expo will feature high-level discussions on critical infrastructure development, investment opportunities, cybersecurity, and AI-driven data center expansion. Thought leaders from global cloud and data center giants will share insights into building future-ready facilities that power industries and drive economic progress.
With Africa’s power sector undergoing transformation, discussions will focus on smart grids, energy storage, and sustainable power solutions to support the continent’s growing digital economy.
The African Development Bank estimates that investment in energy and utilities must increase to $70 billion annually to meet rising demand. Industry leaders will explore the role of IoT and AI in optimizing utilities, managing resources efficiently, and developing smart, connected cities.
The rise of digital banking, fintech, and e-commerce is reshaping consumer experiences and financial transactions across Africa. The fintech sector alone attracted over $3 billion in investments in 2023, and e-commerce is projected to exceed $75 billion in value by 2028.
This expo will highlight how automation, AI, and IoT are creating secure, seamless, and scalable financial solutions, ensuring that businesses stay ahead in the fast-paced digital landscape.
Taneja disclosed that the IoT West Africa & Data Centre Cloud Expo 2025 aligns with Nigeria’s National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) and Agenda 2063 of the African Union, both of which prioritize technological innovation, digital infrastructure, and economic diversification.
By bringing together policymakers and industry stakeholders, the event aims to support regulatory frameworks for digital transformation, foster collaboration between the public and private sectors, encourage foreign direct investment (FDI) in ICT and energy, and accelerate initiatives such as Smart Cities and e-Governance.
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