Technology
NCC Pushes for Local Smartphone Manufacturing to Boost Nigeria’s Digital Economy
The Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Governing Board, Idris Olorunnimbe, has reaffirmed plans to encourage smartphone manufacturers to establish production facilities in Nigeria
Promising to seek presidential support and investment incentives for companies ready to begin construction before November.
Speaking after the Digital Africa Summit Roundtable in Shanghai, Olorunnimbe said local smartphone manufacturing could make devices more affordable, create thousands of jobs, strengthen local industries, and reduce Nigeria's dependence on imported phones.
He explained that producing smartphones locally would help cushion the effects of exchange rate fluctuations, improve price stability, and expand access to digital services for students, entrepreneurs, and millions of other Nigerians.
According to him, Nigeria's large mobile subscriber base presents a major opportunity for global and local manufacturers, but affordability remains one of the biggest barriers to wider smartphone adoption.
Olorunnimbe stressed that locally made smartphones must meet high quality standards while remaining competitively priced, noting that consumers should never have to sacrifice quality for affordability.
He also highlighted ongoing efforts to improve consumer protection through stronger device regulations, measures to tackle counterfeit and stolen phones, and expanded financing options that would allow Nigerians to purchase smartphones through instalment payment plans.
The initiative is part of broader efforts to strengthen Nigeria's digital economy, promote local manufacturing, create employment opportunities, and position the country as a leading technology production hub in Africa.
