The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has taken a significant step toward addressing regulatory gaps in the telecommunications sector by hosting a virtual stakeholders’ forum to deliberate on the proposed Application-to-Person (A2P) Messaging Licensing Framework. The event, held on December 20, 2024, underscored the Commission’s commitment to fostering innovation, protecting consumers, and promoting fair competition.
The forum was convened as part of the NCC’s participatory rule-making process, with the keynote address delivered by Mrs. Chizua Whyte, Acting Head of Legal and Regulatory Services, on behalf of the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Dr. Aminu Maida. Mrs. Whyte emphasized the critical role of A2P messaging in enhancing business-to-consumer communication. She noted that A2P messaging has become a vital tool for businesses and institutions to connect directly with consumers through bank alerts, healthcare reminders, government updates, and other notifications, thereby driving efficiency and socio-economic development.
Despite its growing importance, the international A2P messaging ecosystem in Nigeria has faced significant challenges, including fraud, spam, data privacy concerns, and revenue leakages due to the absence of unified oversight. The proposed framework seeks to address these challenges by ensuring fair competition through standardized tariffs, safeguarding against spam and fraud with enhanced security measures, and centralizing message routing to improve transparency and efficiency. The NCC also highlighted the framework’s broader benefits, such as increased local revenue through taxation, improved consumer trust, and a secure and competitive market environment.
The draft framework outlines important features, including a license fee of ₦10 million and a renewable five-year tenure. Eligibility criteria for prospective licensees include corporate registration in Nigeria, proof of financial capability, and integration with local mobile network operators and centralized SMS firewalls. Licensees will also be required to comply with Nigerian Data Protection Regulations and submit periodic reports on traffic data, revenue, and service quality metrics.
The forum marks the beginning of a broader engagement process with stakeholders. An Assistant Director in the NCC’s Licensing and Authorization Department, Mrs. Truddy Tony-Awusaku, provided an overview of the framework and emphasized the Commission’s goal to create a secure and regulated ecosystem. Stakeholders were encouraged to provide feedback to refine the framework further, with Mrs. Whyte urging all participants to share their perspectives and recommendations to help shape the future of A2P messaging in Nigeria.
The NCC’s initiative reflects its dedication to fostering innovation while protecting consumers and businesses. The proposed A2P Messaging Licensing Framework aims to position Nigeria as a leader in secure and efficient telecommunications services, with positive implications for economic growth and technological advancement. Stakeholders are expected to submit their contributions as the Commission moves toward finalizing the framework.