Phone Brands Setting Up Factories In Nigeria To Get Presidential Waivers As FG Pushes To End Forex-Driven Price Hikes
Millions of Nigerians may soon enjoy more affordable smartphones and internet devices as the Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Chief Idris Ibikunle Olorunnimbe, has offered to personally secure presidential waivers for global device manufacturers that establish assembly plants in Nigeria.
The bold offer is designed to help international brands produce devices locally, reduce dependence on imports and protect consumers from the relentless price increases triggered by foreign exchange fluctuations.
Speaking at the Digital Africa Summit Roundtable in Shanghai, China, Olorunnimbe issued a direct invitation to the world’s leading smartphone and technology manufacturers, promising fast government support for investors ready to build in Nigeria.
“If any manufacturer in this room, or any manufacturer listening to these proceedings, will commit to building a factory in Nigeria, and begin construction between now and November, I will take that commitment to the President myself and seek the waivers and the support you need to make it happen,” he declared.
The proposal represents one of Nigeria’s strongest incentives yet for international device makers seeking to expand into Africa’s largest market. With more than 170 million mobile connections and over 150 million internet users, Nigeria remains one of the continent’s largest smartphone markets, yet millions of people still cannot afford modern devices due to rising import costs.
According to Olorunnimbe, local manufacturing is the most effective way to stabilise device prices and make digital access more affordable for ordinary Nigerians.
“When a device is built with Nigerian raw materials and Nigerian labour, most of its cost is denominated in Naira. It stops rising and falling with every move in the dollar,” he said.
For consumers, that means smartphones, MiFi devices, routers and other digital tools could become significantly more affordable as manufacturers reduce their exposure to exchange-rate volatility.
For global brands, the incentive package offers an opportunity to establish a manufacturing footprint in one of Africa’s fastest-growing digital economies while benefiting from government-backed waivers and regulatory support.
The NCC chairman stressed that Nigeria is no longer looking to rely solely on imported devices to bridge its digital divide. Instead, the country’s strategy is to build a sustainable local manufacturing ecosystem capable of producing world-class devices at competitive prices.
Unlike previous local assembly efforts that struggled with quality and consumer confidence, Olorunnimbe insisted that any devices produced under the new initiative must meet international standards.
“The aim is to build phones in Nigeria that match the imported phones in quality and beat them in price. A locally made device that asks Nigerians to settle for less is not worth making, and we will not pretend otherwise,” he said
The local manufacturing drive is backed by refreshed Type Approval Regulations and the planned Device Management System, both aimed at eliminating counterfeit devices and strengthening confidence in certified products assembled in Nigeria.
The initiative also complements the NCC’s broader digital inclusion agenda, including its plan to zero-rate educational websites, allowing students to access approved learning platforms without paying for data. Industry experts believe locally manufactured devices could be preloaded with these educational resources and key government digital services, making them valuable tools for learning, productivity and civic participation from the moment they are switched on.
If successfully implemented, the initiative could reshape Nigeria’s technology landscape by lowering device prices for consumers, creating manufacturing jobs, attracting foreign investment and positioning the country as a regional hub for smartphone production.
For international manufacturers, the message from the NCC is clear: build in Nigeria, receive government support and gain access to one of Africa’s largest consumer markets. For Nigerian consumers, it signals the prospect of quality smartphones that are no longer at the mercy of the dollar.