The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has called for a major overhaul of telecommunications regulatory frameworks across Africa, warning that existing rules are no longer adequate to govern an industry rapidly transformed by artificial intelligence, cloud computing, satellite services, and digital public infrastructure.
Speaking at the Heads of Regulators Roundtable held alongside the 7th Ordinary Session of the African Telecommunications Union Conference Preparatory Committee in Abuja, the NCC’s Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management, Rimini Makama, said the continent’s evolving digital ecosystem requires smarter, data-driven regulation.
According to her, Africa’s telecommunications landscape has become increasingly complex, making it imperative for regulators to move beyond traditional approaches and adopt evidence-based decision-making that prioritises consumer protection, competition, investment, and network resilience.
Makama noted that while regulators now have access to vast amounts of technical, market, and consumer data, the real challenge lies in converting that information into actionable intelligence that improves regulatory outcomes.
She disclosed that the NCC has developed a regulatory intelligence ecosystem that integrates quality of service indicators, consumer complaints, compliance analytics, and market intelligence to support informed policymaking and measurable improvements across the sector.
The NCC official also urged telecommunications regulators across Africa to strengthen collaboration by sharing best practices, improving data verification systems, and embracing advanced analytics to build a more resilient, transparent, and consumer-focused digital economy.
