The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) today hosted a virtual Stakeholders Forum as part of its participatory rulemaking process to discuss the licensing framework for a new licence category in the Nigerian telecom sector, the Application-to-Person (A2P) Messaging Licensing Framework, which the Commission is developing.
In a speech by the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Dr. Aminu Maida, delivered at the event by the Ag. Head, Legal & Regulatory Services of NCC, Mrs. Chizua Whyte, he assured of the commitment by the Nigerian Communications Commission to continue to provide “a regulatory environment that supports innovation, protects stakeholders, and ensures that our telecommunications sector continues to thrive”.
The forum, he says, is a significant step toward addressing the challenges facing the A2 Messaging space in Nigeria, which includes consumer protection, fraud prevention, and the task of ensuring industry fairness. The challenges have led to issues of fraud, spam, data privacy concerns, and unequal distribution of value across the ecosystem, which not only affect businesses and consumers but also pose a threat to the sustainable growth and potential of this crucial communication tool.
At the Forum, the NCC presented the proposed regulatory framework for A2P messaging, which it says is a commitment to fostering innovation while ensuring that all players in the value chain operate in a fair, transparent, and secure environment, to the stakeholders present for deliberation.
The forum, the NCC affirmed, was an opportunity for operators, aggregators, businesses, service providers, and consumers to engage in meaningful discussions. The Nigerian Communications Commission restated its belief that effective regulation stems from inclusivity and collaboration. “Our goal is to create a sustainable and thriving A2P messaging ecosystem that protects consumers, promotes fair competition, and unlocks new opportunities for growth”.
At the Forum, the Assistant Director at the Licensing and Authorisation Department of the NCC, Mrs. Truddy Tony-Awusaku, provided an Overview of Framework for International A2P Messaging in Nigeria.
The Commission presented feedback received as inputs into the A2P Licensing Framework proposed and responded to observations and recommendations made by the licensees. The NCC says it will continue to engage internal and external stakeholders ahead of the Final Draft of the A2P Messaging Services Licensing Framework in line with its participatory rule-making process.
