Nigeria reviews 26-year-old telecom policy with major digital infrastructure changes

Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has begun reviewing its 26-year-old National Telecommunications Policy, proposing 15 major changes that could affect everything from data pricing and network quality to cybersecurity, AI infrastructure, satellite broadband, and online scams. The revised framework is expected to go live before the end of 2026.

Why the sudden need for change? While Nigeria's internet penetration now stands at 54.3%, Nigerians battle fiber cuts, unstable networks, expensive data, and digital fraud. The NCC wants stronger competition rules, better infrastructure sharing, improved 5G spectrum management, support for AI innovation, satellite broadband integration, local telecom manufacturing incentives, and a Digital Innovation Fund for startups.

This policy makeover could push forward Nigeria's digital ambitions—potentially making broadband deployment cheaper and faster, extending reach to more Nigerians, supporting Lagos' data center capacity expansion to 250MW by 2030, accelerating 5G rollout, and strengthening cybersecurity nationwide.

Meanwhile, Nairobi's GITEX East Africa event signaled the city's evolution from startup hub to serious AI and digital infrastructure market entry point, as global tech firms increasingly see African cities as commercial gateways into the continent's digital growth phase.

How will these infrastructure changes affect your business operations and digital services in the coming years?

SOURCE: https://techcabal.com/2026/05/22/techcabal-daily-nigeria-hits-refresh-on-telecoms/