The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has introduced a bold new licensing regime designed to support innovation, fast-track emerging technologies, and expand access across Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
The Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, unveiled the General Authorisation Framework at a stakeholders’ engagement forum held on Thursday.
He described the framework as a dynamic regulatory structure that departs from traditional licensing approaches to accommodate novel services and technologies not yet covered under existing rules.
“This reform introduces a flexible and responsive regulatory licensing approach. It is structured to embrace new and emerging services that fall outside the existing license structure,” Maida said.
According to Maida, at the heart of the new framework are three key instruments designed to support innovation while managing risk and protecting consumer interests:
Maida said this model creates a “platform for innovators of various sizes to demonstrate feasibility, assess risk, and measure outcomes before deployment.” It also aims to strike a balance between encouraging cutting-edge ideas and safeguarding public interest.
While the regulatory shift is significant, Maida stressed that collaboration is crucial to its success. He called on Mobile Network Operators, service providers, infrastructure companies, OEMs, startups, civil society, and academia to actively engage in shaping the framework through feedback, partnerships, and co-creation.
Also speaking at the forum, the Director of Licensing and Authorization at the NCC, Mr. Usman Mamman, said the rapid evolution of the global digital ecosystem has directly challenged the subsisting license framework with the Commission as it continues to witness the emergence of new technologies, novel business models, and innovative services, many of which do not fit neatly into its traditional licensing structures.
“Recognizing this shift, the Commission deemed it necessary to critically re-evaluate and retool our regulatory toolkit.
“One of the key outcomes of this review is the development of the draft General Authorisation Framework (GAF), a flexible, forward-looking approach to licensing that promotes innovation while ensuring regulatory oversight, consumer protection, and market integrity,” he said.