SPEECH BY THE DIRECTOR, LICENSING AND AUTHORIZATION DEPARTMENT, NCC, AT THE PRESENTATION OF THE DRAFT GENERAL AUTHORISATION FRAMEWORK TO EXTERNAL TELECOM STAKEHOLDERS
Distinguished Stakeholders
Ladies and Gentlemen
It is with great pleasure that I welcome you all to this important engagement convened by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for the presentation of the draft General Authorisation Framework.
Today’s session marks a pivotal step in our collective journey toward a more agile, inclusive, and innovation-driven communications sector in Nigeria. The rapid evolution of the global digital ecosystem has directly challenged the subsisting license framework with the Commission as we are constantly witnessing the emergence of new technologies, novel business models, and innovative services, many of which do not fit neatly into our traditional licensing structures.
Recognizing this shift, the Commission deemed it necessary to critically re-evaluate and retool our regulatory toolkit. One of the key outcomes of this review is the development of the draft General Authorisation Framework (GAF), a flexible, forward-looking approach to licensing that promotes innovation while ensuring regulatory oversight, consumer protection, and market integrity.
The drafting of the General Authorisation Framework was the outcome of extensive research, cross-departmental collaboration, and critical evaluation of both global best practices and local industry dynamics.
The Commission carried out an internal review of recent service applications, inquiries, and pilot proposals that are not covered in the scope of current licence categories. This showed a growing need for a flexible and well-structured pathway to test new and emerging ideas.
A Benchmark Study was carried out to learn how other Countries support innovation, including the UK’s Ofcom Sandbox model and Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) testbeds. These examples helped us understand how to promote innovation in a way that still meets regulatory goals.
The proposed framework aligns with national digital economy policies, such as the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, the National Broadband Plan, and the wider goals of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003. We also built in key protections to ensure the framework is safe and responsible. These include data protection rules, cybersecurity measures, customer information policies, and checks to prevent market abuse and protect consumers,
The General Authorisation Framework introduces three core pathways:
Proof of Concept (PoC) – To allow entities to demonstrate the viability of novel technologies or services.
Regulatory Sandbox – To enable testing under the Commission’s supervision within a controlled environment.
Interim Service Authorisation (ISA) – a temporary authorisation to operate pending the creation of a full licence category.
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These mechanisms are time-bound, transparent, and designed to collect useful data for future regulation while ensuring minimal disruption to existing market structures. Importantly, this framework allows the Commission to be proactive rather than reactive—to embrace innovation without losing regulatory grip.
Your presence here today affirms your critical role as Partners in shaping the future of telecommunications in Nigeria. This draft framework is not final. It is a living document that benefits from your experience, feedback, and industry insights.
As we present the draft today, we invite your objective commentary—on clarity, Structure, implementation hurdles, or Opportunities for alignment with your respective business models.
Let us together ensure that this framework becomes a solid bridge between innovation and regulation, between start-up visionaries and established players, between present limitations and future possibilities.
Distinguished Stakeholders, the Commission remains committed to transparency, inclusivity, and responsiveness. The General Authorisation Framework is a manifestation of our intent to create a licensing ecosystem that is adaptive, anticipatory, and attuned to the needs of both the industry and consumers.
I thank you all for your time, your attention, and your invaluable contributions today and in the days ahead.
Thank you and God bless.
