African telecoms regulators must exchange experience for better services – NCC boss, Maida
Telecommunications Regulators Urged to Enhance Collaboration Across Africa
ABUJA — The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) underscored the need for African telecommunications regulators to foster a more intentional and systematic exchange of experiences among their organizations.
This statement was made by Maida during the Head of Regulators Roundtable on Tuesday, as part of the ongoing 7th Ordinary Session of the Conference Preparatory Committee (CPC-26). The session is themed “Building Africa’s Network Intelligence Ecosystem for Evidence-Based Regulation.”
Maida emphasized the significant role communications play in the economies of nations worldwide, acknowledging the complexities faced by regulatory bodies. “We may oversee markets of varying sizes and operate under different legal frameworks, but the realities of our responsibilities are often strikingly similar,” he said. He noted that discussions among regulators frequently shift from casual greetings to serious topics within minutes.
He highlighted common issues of concern, such as investment, infrastructure resilience, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies. “This shared experience is one reason gatherings like this are so crucial,” he said, adding that the challenges faced by one regulator are likely familiar to others elsewhere in Africa.
During the roundtable, Maida encouraged participants to explore ways to utilize data and market intelligence to enhance regulatory decisions. “This is an opportunity for open dialogue,” he stated, urging regulators to discuss what has worked, what has not, and how collaboration could prevent isolated problem-solving.
Rimini Makama, the Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management at the NCC, reiterated the importance of data-driven decision-making. She noted that as markets become increasingly complex—with the expansion of broadband and the rise of technologies such as artificial intelligence and cloud computing—previous regulatory frameworks have become outdated.
“To proactively address challenges, we need reliable intelligence,” she explained. “Regulators across Africa possess more data than ever before, but the challenge lies in transforming that data into effective decision-making.”
Makama highlighted shared challenges such as consumer protection and network resilience, emphasizing the need for cooperation among African Telecommunications Union (ATU) member states. She stated that the collective effort to consolidate various data sources will ensure decisions are informed by evidence, quality of service, and market intelligence.
The roundtable represents a pivotal moment for regulators to come together, share successful practices, and strategize on addressing common challenges in an evolving digital landscape.
