NCC Launches Telecom Competition Assessment to Strengthen Nigeria’s Digital Economy

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has launched a nationwide assessment of competition in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector, aiming to drive innovation, fair pricing, and sustainable growth. The initiative, announced at a stakeholders’ forum in Lagos, comes as the telecoms industry continues to be a major contributor to Nigeria’s digital economy, accounting for 9.1% of the country’s GDP in the third quarter of 2025.

Mrs. Omotayo Mohammed, Head of Competition and Tariff at NCC’s Policy, Competition and Economic Analysis Department, explained that the last comprehensive review was in 2013. She noted that recent technological advances, evolving consumer habits, and changes in market structure make a fresh assessment crucial. “Competition is the engine that drives innovation, affordability, and consumer choice. But it must also be fair, effective, and sustainable,” Mohammed said.

To ensure objectivity, the NCC has engaged PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to carry out the study, which will examine both supply and demand factors in the telecoms market. Areas of focus include market concentration, pricing trends, infrastructure access, barriers to entry, consumer usage patterns, affordability, and service quality. The exercise is expected to run for 12 to 14 weeks and cover both voice and data markets.

PwC highlighted the global and regional pressures shaping the telecom sector. While worldwide telecom revenues are projected to reach $1.3 trillion by 2028, sub-Saharan operators face declining revenue per user due to pricing pressure and changing consumer habits. The rise of digital platforms and over-the-top services like WhatsApp and Zoom has also reshaped traditional voice and messaging markets, making competition reviews increasingly important.

The NCC said the findings of the study will guide evidence-based regulatory actions to maintain a level playing field, protect consumer choice, and encourage innovation. Mohammed emphasized that timely and accurate data submission by operators is critical to the study’s success, noting that delays or incomplete information could affect both the quality of insights and future regulatory decisions.

source:  The sun