NCC launches new licensing framework to drive telecom innovation

In a move aimed at fostering innovation and ensuring Nigeria’s telecommunications sector keeps pace with global advancements, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has introduced a transformative licensing model designed to support emerging technologies and expand digital inclusion across the country.

The new General Authorisation Framework (GAF) was unveiled on Thursday by the Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Aminu Maida, during a stakeholders’ engagement forum in Abuja.

Dr. Maida described the framework as a paradigm shift from conventional licensing regimes, emphasizing its potential to accommodate novel services and solutions not yet addressed by Nigeria’s current regulatory structures.

“This reform introduces a flexible and responsive regulatory licensing approach. It is structured to embrace new and emerging services that fall outside the existing license structure,” Maida stated.

At the core of the GAF are three innovative instruments intended to provide a structured pathway for testing and deploying groundbreaking ideas while safeguarding consumer interests and maintaining market integrity:

Proof-of-Concept (PoC) Pilots – Enables startups and technology firms to trial innovative concepts in real-world settings before scaling them for national deployment.

Regulatory Sandbox – Offers a controlled environment under NCC supervision, where stakeholders can safely experiment with advanced solutions like Open RAN (Open Radio Access Network) and dynamic spectrum sharing without risking market disruption.

Interim Service Authorisation – Grants temporary operational status to services that don’t yet conform to existing licensing classifications, allowing innovation to progress while regulatory frameworks evolve.

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According to Dr. Maida, these instruments will empower a diverse range of innovators—from small startups to multinational telecom operators—to explore and validate cutting-edge technologies in a manner that is safe, scalable, and regulatory-compliant.

“This model creates a platform for innovators of various sizes to demonstrate feasibility, assess risk, and measure outcomes before deployment,” he explained.

“We are committed to striking a balance between enabling innovation and protecting public interest.”

He further emphasized the need for collaborative implementation, urging stakeholders—including mobile network operators, infrastructure providers, OEMs, academic institutions, civil society, and startups—to actively contribute to refining the framework through partnership and feedback.

Also speaking at the event, the Director of Licensing and Authorisation at NCC, Mr. Usman Mamman, highlighted the urgency of adapting regulatory approaches in response to the fast-paced evolution of the global digital economy.

“We continue to see new technologies, business models, and services that do not neatly fit into traditional licensing structures,” Mamman noted.

According to him, the Commission’s decision to introduce the General Authorisation Framework followed a comprehensive internal review, extensive research, and evaluation of both international best practices and domestic market realities.

“One of the key outcomes of this review is a flexible, forward-looking licensing approach that promotes innovation while ensuring regulatory oversight, consumer protection, and market integrity,” Mamman added.

He revealed that the NCC had studied numerous recent applications, inquiries, and pilot proposals which highlighted a rising demand for a more adaptive regulatory toolkit.

Mamman also affirmed that the framework aligns with critical national digital economy initiatives, including the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, the National Broadband Plan, and the overarching objectives of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003.

The new licensing strategy positions Nigeria to become a more attractive destination for digital innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment, reinforcing its ambitions to build a resilient and inclusive digital economy.