Nigeria Approves AI Trust & Universal Connectivity Project

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In a significant move toward enhancing digital access and driving technological innovation, the Nigerian government has approved two transformative initiatives aimed at bridging the digital divide, expanding rural mobile connectivity, and positioning the country as a leader in artificial intelligence.

The Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy announced that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has granted approval for the Nigeria Universal Communication Access Project, a strategic initiative under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) funding model. Designed to complement Project Bridge, Nigeria’s ambitious 90,000km Fibre Fund, this project will extend mobile network coverage to over 21 million people across 4,834 remote communities currently lacking basic telecommunications infrastructure. By deploying additional base stations in underserved regions, the initiative aims to enhance connectivity and improve the quality of life for millions of Nigerians.

Nigeria’s vision to become a global AI powerhouse has received a major boost with the FEC’s approval of the National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Trust. As the first initiative of its kind globally, the AI Trust will mobilize resources, oversee AI development, and ensure strategic investments in AI-driven innovation. This move highlights the government’s commitment to leveraging AI as a catalyst for economic growth, job creation, and increased foreign direct investment, ensuring Nigeria remains at the forefront of the digital revolution.

These approvals mark a significant step in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey, reinforcing its role as a leader in connectivity and emerging technologies.

Source: www.telecomreviewafrica.com

Nigeria’s Telecoms Regulator Approves 50% Tariff Increase

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Nigeria’s telecommunications regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has approved a 50% increase in tariff rates for telecom services. This decision follows a request from operators, who had initially proposed a 100% hike to address mounting operational costs.

The NCC stated that the tariff adjustment, the first since 2013, aims to bridge the gap between increasing operational expenses and revenue while maintaining service quality. The regulator noted that the approval was made with consideration for ongoing industry reforms to ensure long-term sustainability.

The decision comes as Nigeria faces economic challenges, including high inflation driven by currency devaluation and subsidy removal policies implemented by President Bola Tinubu in 2023. Although inflation began to stabilize mid-2024, subsequent petrol price hikes reignited cost pressures, further straining businesses.

The NCC emphasized that the tariff increase reflects the economic realities affecting the telecommunications sector, ensuring that operators can continue delivering reliable services without compromising quality.

Nigeria’s mobile market

Nigeria has the largest mobile market in Africa, with nearly 140 million mobile subscriptions recorded by the end of 2024, according to statistics from the market research firm Omdia. This figure reflects a decline over the past two years due to the deactivation of millions of unregistered SIM cards to comply with regulatory requirements.

In comparison, Egypt had 128.5 million mobile subscriptions in 2024, South Africa had approximately 114 million, Ethiopia had around 88 million, Ghana had about 39 million, and Kenya surpassed 69 million subscriptions by the end of last year. Omdia forecasts that Nigeria will exceed 292 million mobile subscriptions by 2029. The Nigerian mobile market is served by four major operators.

The largest operator is MTN, with an estimated 78.1 million mobile users at the end of 2024. Airtel follows with 52.1 million users, Glo Mobile has nearly 8.6 million, and 9Mobile accounts for just 1.1 million users, according to Omdia’s market intelligence.