The Chairman of the Governing Board of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Idris Olorunnimbe, says he will seek presidential incentives to encourage global smartphone manufacturers to establish production facilities in Nigeria.
Speaking after the Digital Africa Summit Roundtable in Shanghai, China, Olorunnimbe said investors that begin factory construction before November would receive government backing, with the NCC helping to facilitate the necessary policy and regulatory support.
He said domestic smartphone production would reduce dependence on imported devices, create employment opportunities and strengthen Nigeria’s manufacturing sector while making smartphones more affordable.
According to him, producing devices locally would also reduce the impact of foreign exchange volatility on handset prices, improving access to smartphones for millions of Nigerians.
Olorunnimbe stressed that locally made phones must match international standards in quality and remain competitively priced to gain consumer confidence and compete with imported brands.
He added that stronger device regulation and expanded instalment payment options would protect consumers, improve smartphone ownership and support the country’s digital economy growth.
