The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has called on telecommunications regulators across Africa to strengthen cooperation and build a robust network intelligence ecosystem that will support smarter, evidence-based regulation. Speaking at the Heads of Regulators Roundtable during the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) conference preparatory meeting in Abuja, NCC Executive Vice Chairman, Aminu Maida, emphasized that deeper collaboration is essential to addressing the rapidly evolving challenges facing the continent’s digital communications sector.
Maida noted that while African countries operate under different legal frameworks and market conditions, many of the challenges confronting regulators are remarkably similar. He explained that greater cooperation would allow regulators to learn from one another’s experiences, reduce duplicated efforts, and develop practical solutions to issues such as infrastructure resilience, satellite communications, cybersecurity, affordability, artificial intelligence, and other emerging technologies shaping the future of connectivity in Africa.
According to him, many regulatory challenges being tackled in one country have often been encountered elsewhere on the continent. He stressed the need for a more structured and intentional exchange of knowledge among regulatory bodies. Speaking on the conference theme, “Building Africa’s Network Intelligence Ecosystem for Evidence-Based Regulation,” Maida described the roundtable as a strategic platform for regulators to explore how data, market intelligence, and evidence can drive more effective policy decisions and improve industry outcomes.
Also speaking at the event, the NCC’s Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management, Rimini Makama, highlighted the growing complexity of Africa’s digital communications landscape. She pointed to the rapid expansion of broadband services, satellite technology, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and digital public infrastructure as factors that have transformed the regulatory environment. Makama stated that the real challenge for regulators today is no longer gathering data but effectively converting that data into informed decisions that benefit consumers and the broader economy.
Makama revealed that the NCC has developed a regulatory intelligence ecosystem that combines quality-of-service data, consumer feedback, compliance analytics, and market intelligence into a single platform for decision-making. She said the system has already delivered measurable regulatory results, helping the commission strengthen consumer protection, enhance market oversight, and improve compliance. As Africa accelerates its digital transformation journey, industry stakeholders believe that stronger regulatory collaboration and data-driven governance will play a crucial role in building resilient and inclusive telecommunications networks across the continent.
source: The cable
