The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has proudly announced that all SIM cards used within the country are now produced locally. This significant development was disclosed by the Head of New Media and Information Security at the NCC, Babagana Digima, during a recent training session for media executives in Lagos.
The two-day event, titled “Upskilling Media Stakeholders on Trends in Telecommunications,” aimed to enhance the understanding of media professionals regarding current trends and advancements in the telecom sector. The training provided insights into the NCC’s strategic initiatives and their impact on the industry.
Digima highlighted that this milestone is a result of the NCC’s concerted efforts to promote local content and indigenous participation in the telecommunications industry, led by the Nigeria Office for Development in the Indigenous Telecommunications Sector (NORDIT). Until recently, nearly all SIM cards in Nigeria were imported, but this trend has been completely reversed.
“Before NORDIT’s intervention, 99% to 100% of SIM cards in Nigeria were imported. We set a goal to reverse this trend within five to six months. Now, 100% of all SIM cards used in Nigeria are manufactured locally, with no importation,” Digima stated.
He further emphasized the commission’s advocacy efforts to boost indigenous participation across all sectors of telecoms. NORDIT has played a pivotal role by providing grants and incentives to various companies to support industry development.
“For instance, we are currently sponsoring the manufacture of Corrugated Ordinal Duct, which will be the first of its kind in Africa. We also encourage the local production of telecom towers and fiber cables. Coleman Cables, a local manufacturer, has surpassed the only other producer in Egypt in terms of capacity and is continuing to expand,” Digima added.
The NCC’s mandate, under Sections 1D to F of its Act, includes encouraging the participation of indigenous telecom companies. This national policy for promoting indigenous content in the telecommunications sector led to the establishment of NORDIT.
“One of NORDIT’s key areas of impact has been in fostering indigenous participation,” explained Digima. He noted that NORDIT’s efforts have not only led to local SIM card production but have also driven advancements in other areas of telecom infrastructure.
In addition to SIM cards, NORDIT has focused on expanding the production of essential telecom infrastructure within Nigeria. The commission’s support has facilitated the local manufacturing of telecom towers and fiber optic cables, which are critical for the country’s expanding digital network. Companies like Coleman Cables have received substantial backing, allowing them to enhance their production capabilities and compete on a continental level.
The NCC’s commitment to local content extends beyond manufacturing to include fostering innovation and skill development within Nigeria’s telecom sector. By supporting indigenous companies, the NCC aims to create a robust and self-sufficient telecommunications industry that can cater to both local and international markets.
As the NCC continues to push for greater local participation, it is also working on initiatives to ensure the quality and competitiveness of locally produced telecom products. This includes setting up stringent quality control measures and providing training and certification programs to maintain high standards in the industry.
