The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has pledged to seek presidential support and incentives for investors willing to establish smartphone manufacturing plants in Nigeria as part of efforts to boost local production and make smartphones more affordable.
Chairman of the NCC Governing Board, Idris Olorunnimbe, made the commitment after speaking at the Digital Africa Summit Roundtable in Shanghai, China, where he called for stronger private-sector investment in Nigeria’s digital economy and manufacturing sector.
According to Olorunnimbe, attracting smartphone manufacturers to Nigeria would reduce the country’s dependence on imported devices, lower smartphone prices and create thousands of direct and indirect jobs.
He revealed that investors who commit to beginning factory construction before November would receive government support, adding that he was prepared to personally seek the necessary waivers and incentives from President Bola Tinubu to facilitate such investments.
“If any manufacturer commits to building a factory in Nigeria and begins construction before November, I will take that commitment to the President and seek the support needed to make it happen,” he said.
The NCC chairman explained that local smartphone production would strengthen Nigeria’s industrial base, support local businesses and protect consumers from rising device prices caused by foreign exchange fluctuations.
He also noted that locally assembled smartphones must compete with imported brands in both quality and affordability to earn the trust of Nigerian consumers.
Beyond manufacturing, Olorunnimbe advocated flexible smartphone financing through instalment payment plans to enable more Nigerians, especially students, young people and small business owners, to own smartphones without paying the full cost upfront.
He added that the NCC was strengthening regulations to eliminate counterfeit, cloned and stolen devices while improving consumer confidence in Nigeria’s handset market.
According to him, Nigeria’s large mobile subscriber base presents a huge opportunity for investors, and local manufacturing could position the country as a regional hub for smartphone production across Africa.
Source: NAN
