NCC Intensifies Local Content Promotion, Announces 100% Local Manufacturing Of SIM Cards
As part of its major efforts to promote local content and indigenous participation in the telecommunications industry, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced that SIM cards for all Telecommunications networks in Nigeria are now produced in the country.
This was revealed by Babagana Digima, the Head of New Media and Information Security at NCC, development during a training session for media executives in Lagos.
According to Digima, the NCC’s efforts to promote local content and indigenous participation in the telecommunications industry, were spearheaded by the Nigeria Office for Development in the Indigenous Telecommunications Sector (NORDIT).
He noted that until recently, nearly all SIM cards in Nigeria were imported. In his words, “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, who previously headed NORDIT, emphasized the commission’s advocacy efforts to boost Indigenous participation across all sectors of telecoms. He noted that NORDIT has provided 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 fibre cables. Coleman Cables, a local manufacturer, has surpassed the only other producer in Egypt in terms of capacity and is continuing to expand,” he said.
The NCC under Sections 1D to F of its Act, is mandated to encourage the participation of indigenous telecom companies.
This national policy for promoting indigenous content in the telecommunications sector led to the establishment of the Nigerian Office for Developing the Indigenous Telecom Sector (NORDIT).
Explaining further Digima said, “One of NORDIT’s key areas of impact has been in fostering Indigenous participation.”