The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has urged African regulatory bodies to adopt intelligent, data-driven policies to better manage the rise of artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and satellite technology. During a roundtable at the African Telecommunications Union conference in Abuja, NCC leadership highlighted that current regulatory frameworks are becoming outdated as the digital landscape expands rapidly.
Dr. Aminu Maida, the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, stated that although African nations manage distinct markets, they face shared hurdles like cybersecurity, infrastructure stability, and affordability. He emphasized the necessity of a systematic exchange of knowledge between regulators to address these common issues more effectively.
Rimini Makama, the NCC Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management, argued that standard regulatory practices can no longer handle the complexity of modern technology. She revealed that the NCC is introducing a regulatory intelligence ecosystem to utilize data analytics for more transparent, consumer-focused decision-making. She encouraged peer organizations to prioritize advanced analytics to improve service quality beyond standard benchmarks.
Timothy Ashong, Director-General of the Regional African Satellite Communications Organisation, praised Nigeria’s real-time monitoring of network disruptions as a regional benchmark. He advocated for a dual approach to connectivity, suggesting that African countries must invest in both terrestrial broadband and satellite networks to ensure reliable coverage across the continent, particularly in remote regions.
