NCC Convenes Virtual Stakeholders’ Forum on Draft A2P Licensing Framework

The Nigerian Communications Commission, (NCC) on Friday convened Stakeholder Forum on Application-to-Person, or A2P, Messaging to deliberate on the draft A2P Licensing Framework.

In his welcome address, the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC)/CEO, Nigerian Communications Commission, Dr. Aminu Maida, applauded the stakeholders for coming together to deliberate on a critical segment of the telecommunications ecosystem that affects businesses, consumers, and service providers alike.

Dr Maida, who was represented by the Ag. Head, Legal & Regulatory Services of NCC, Mrs. Chizua Whyte highlighted that A2P messaging plays a vital role in today’s digital world, adding that it has become the go-to platform for businesses to send notifications, whether transactional, promotional, or service-related, directly to consumers, from bank alerts and healthcare reminders to promotional campaigns and government updates,

“A2P messaging drives efficiency, enhances communication, and supports our socio-economic development,” he said.

He stated that at the Nigerian Communications Commission, the strategic focus is centred on three key stakeholders: the government, consumers, and the industry—our licensees, adding that each of these stakeholders plays a vital role in the success of the A2P messaging platform.

He explained that for consumers, it guarantees timely, secure, and reliable access to essential updates and services, while for the industry, it creates opportunities for businesses and service providers to innovate, drive competition, and achieve sustainable growth.

Despite its undeniable value, he said that the international A2P messaging space in Nigeria faces significant challenges, including consumer protection, fraud prevention, and ensuring industry fairness.

According to him, these gaps have led to issues such as fraud, spam, data privacy concerns, and an unequal distribution of value across the ecosystem, stressing that such challenges not only affect businesses and consumers but also pose a threat to the sustainable growth and potential of this crucial communication tool.

The EVC pointed out that this forum marks a pivotal step toward addressing these challenges, hence the presentation of the proposed regulatory framework for A2P to stakeholders for deliberation, which represents the Commission’s commitment to fostering innovation while ensuring that all players in the value chain operate in a fair, transparent, and secure environment.

The Commission, he said firmly believe that effective regulation stems from inclusivity and collaboration, while the forum is an opportunity for the operators, aggregators, businesses, service providers, and consumers to engage in meaningful discussions, hear their perspectives, experiences, and recommendations—so that together, they can refine this framework to ensure it meets the needs of all of us.

“Our goal is to create a sustainable and thriving A2P messaging ecosystem that protects consumers, promotes fair competition, and unlocks new opportunities for growth. To achieve this, your active participation today is essential. I urge you to engage constructively, provide feedback, and contribute ideas that will help shape the future of A2P messaging in Nigeria.

“Let me assure you that the Nigerian Communications Commission remains committed to providing a regulatory environment that supports innovation, protects stakeholders, and ensures that our telecommunications sector continues to thrive,” EVC emphasized.

However, the Commission also presented the various feedbacks received as inputs into the A2P Licensing Framework being proposed by the Commission and gave NCC’s responses to each or the observations and recommendations made by the licensees.

The Commission also revealed that it is just the beginning of a process, and 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.

In her presentation, 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.