Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Nigeria’s NCC introduced a licensing framework for international A2P messaging aggregators to regulate traffic, enhance security, and improve service quality. Mobile operators cannot apply, and applicants must meet specific requirements and fees within seven days.
NCC enforces President Tinubu’s Executive Order criminalizing telecom infrastructure damage, addressing vandalism, theft, and access issues. The commission promotes public awareness, stakeholder coordination, and media collaboration to protect critical assets and ensure reliable nationwide services.
MTN Nigeria launched the first phase of its $235 million Dabengwa Sifiso Data Centre in Lagos, featuring a Tier III facility and a new cloud service with local pricing and low latency. The company aims to expand capacity in a future phase, positioning itself competitively in West Africa’s cloud market.
Nigeria’s space agency NASRDA has partnered with GalaxySpace to roll out nationwide direct-to-device satellite internet, enabling enhanced connectivity and fostering local space technology development. This marks a major step toward expanding Nigeria’s telecom reach beyond traditional networks.
Nigeria’s FMCIDE launched the AgriConnect pilot in Ogun State, equipping farmers with AI-powered smart devices and connectivity to improve agricultural productivity and inclusion, supporting national food security and digital economy goals.
Nigeria’s NITDA has signed an MoU with SecDojo to enhance the country’s cybersecurity capabilities through targeted capacity-building programs. The partnership, unveiled at GITEX Africa 2025, will establish a Cybersecurity Academy, offer advanced training, and foster research initiatives to bridge the cybersecurity talent gap.
Mobile number portability in Nigeria surged by 190% in January 2025, with 8,708 subscribers switching networks. 9mobile faced the highest losses, losing 6,716 customers, while MTN, Airtel, and Globacom benefited. This shift reflects dissatisfaction with service quality and pricing. The telecom sector saw overall growth in subscriptions.
Nigeria ranks 120th out of 137 countries in mobile network excellence according to the latest Global Network Excellence Index. The country lags behind 19 African nations in 4G/5G availability and download speeds, with challenges in network performance and coverage. Several African nations outperform Nigeria in key network metrics.
NITDA’s new data classification framework mandates local cloud hosting for sensitive data, aiming to boost Nigeria’s digital economy and attract international cloud providers. The policy supports national security, compliance with data protection laws, and promotes local cloud companies, positioning Nigeria as a leader in Africa’s digital economy.
Airtel Nigeria has implemented a 50% tariff hike, affecting both data plans and call rates. This change, aimed at boosting infrastructure investment, has faced criticism from consumer groups and unions. The Cloud Network Foundation has urged the government to reassess the hike, citing economic hardships and its impact on low-income Nigerians.