The Chairman of the Governing Board of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Idris Olorunnimbe, has pledged to seek presidential incentives for investors willing to establish smartphone manufacturing plants in Nigeria.
Olorunnimbe made the pledge during the Digital Africa Summit Roundtable held in Shanghai, China, on June 24, according to a statement issued on Saturday.
He said local smartphone production remains the most sustainable solution to reducing device costs and expanding digital inclusion across the country.
“If any manufacturer in this room, or any manufacturer listening to these proceedings will commit to building a factory in Nigeria, and to beginning construction between now and November, I will take that commitment to the President myself and seek the waivers and the support you need to make it happen,” he said.
According to him, local production would reduce dependence on imported devices, lower smartphone prices, create jobs and strengthen Nigeria’s technology value chain.
Olorunnimbe acknowledged that previous local manufacturing efforts failed due to poor product quality and weak after-sales support, stressing that new investments must meet global standards.
“The aim is to build phones in Nigeria that match the imported phones on quality and beat them on price. A locally made device that asks Nigerians to settle for less is not worth making,” he added.
He also disclosed that the NCC is strengthening device regulation through updated Type Approval Regulations and a proposed Device Management System to curb counterfeit, cloned and stolen phones.
The NCC board chairman further advocated flexible smartphone financing through instalment payment plans and urged African governments and industry players to support local manufacturing to drive digital inclusion and economic growth.
