Local SIM-Card Market Valued @ N55Bn, One Year after Ban on Importation- Danbatta
The ban on importation of whole body SIM cards has boosted the local SIM-cards manufacturing market, which is now valued at N55 billion, according to Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, executive vice chairman/CEO, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
Danbatta, announced this at the maiden edition of the Nigerian Telecommunications Indigenous Content EXPO (NTICE 2022) last year.
Danbatta, while presenting the progress report, on Wednesday, at the 2nd edition of the NTICE 2023 in Lagos, explained that, the ban has not only eased the burden on the sector’s demand for foreign exchange but has also created business in excess of N55 billion for the local SIM card manufacturers in Nigeria which in turn has created direct and indirect jobs.
Danbatta who was represented by Engr. Ubale Maska, executive commissioner, Technical Services, stated that the Nigerian Telecoms Sector is amongst the biggest contributors to socio-economic growth of the country, as evidenced by the numerous achievements of the sector.
The EVC NCC said “It is not out of place to mention that the sector’s performance was instrumental in lifting Nigeria out of recession with a 12.45 per cent contribution to the GDP in Q4 2020. This figure increased to 14.13 per cent as at Q1 2023. The Sector is also home to two of the most valuable listed companies in Nigeria with a collective market capitalization in excess of N10.45 trillion.”
He highlighted that NTICE is not only an exhibition but it is also a gathering of industry players that embodies the spirit of innovation, resilience, collaboration, and progress, while assuring that the commission is fully committed to the drive of the federal government to place the Nigerian economy on a sustainable pedestal through all the necessary policies put in place.
According to the NCC boss “When we created the Nigeria Office for Development of Indigenous Telecoms Sector (NODITS) as a Special Purpose Vehicle under the Commission to drive the National Policy for Promotion of Indigenous Content in the Nigerian Telecommunications Sector in July 2021, the Office was given four areas of focus: Manufacturing, Human Capacity, Research & Development (R&D) and Software & Services development for the telecoms sector.
“Today, I am happy to inform you that NTICE is one of the achievements of NCC through NODITS because it has served not only to promote Pillar number 5 (Strategic Partnering) of the Strategic Management Plan SMP 2020-2024 of the Commission but has also become the flagship indigenous content event for the industry.”
