Nigeria is taking fresh steps to encourage smartphone manufacturers to establish production plants in the country as part of efforts to reduce the cost of mobile devices and improve access to digital services.
The Chairman of the Governing Board of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Idris Olorunnimbe, said he is ready to seek presidential incentives for companies willing to build smartphone manufacturing factories in Nigeria.
Speaking during the Digital Africa Summit Roundtable held in Shanghai, China, on June 24, Olorunnimbe explained that producing smartphones locally is one of the best long-term solutions to the high cost of mobile devices in Nigeria. According to him, affordable smartphones are essential for expanding digital inclusion and ensuring that more Nigerians can participate in the digital economy.
He revealed that he would personally present the commitment of interested manufacturers to President Bola Tinubu and request government support, including tax waivers and other incentives, for companies that begin constructing factories in Nigeria before November.
Olorunnimbe said local smartphone production would help reduce dependence on imported devices, which are often affected by foreign exchange fluctuations and global supply chain disruptions. He noted that manufacturing phones within Nigeria would lower production costs by allowing more expenses to be paid in naira, making smartphones more affordable for consumers.
He added that cheaper smartphones would enable more Nigerians to access important digital services such as online education, internet banking, e-commerce, remote work opportunities and government platforms. According to him, greater access to smartphones would especially benefit students, young people and small business owners.
Beyond improving affordability, Olorunnimbe said local manufacturing would also create thousands of jobs across different sectors. Engineers, technicians, logistics companies, component suppliers, retailers and other businesses would all benefit from the growth of a local smartphone industry.
He also believes Nigeria has the potential to become a major technology manufacturing and assembly hub for Africa due to its large telecommunications market. With over 170 million mobile connections and more than 150 million internet users, the country offers significant opportunities for global smartphone makers looking to expand their operations.
However, Olorunnimbe acknowledged that previous efforts to produce smartphones locally faced several challenges, including poor product quality, weak after-sales support and low consumer confidence. He stressed that any phones produced in Nigeria must meet international quality standards while remaining more affordable than imported alternatives.
According to him, consumers should never have to sacrifice quality simply because a phone is made locally.
To improve confidence in locally produced devices, the NCC is strengthening regulations through revised Type Approval Regulations and the proposed Device Management System. These measures are expected to reduce the circulation of counterfeit, cloned and stolen phones while improving accountability within the handset market.
Olorunnimbe also called for flexible smartphone financing options, including installment payment plans, so that more Nigerians can purchase quality devices without paying the full amount upfront.
He urged governments, regulators and private sector players across Africa to work together by supporting local manufacturing, harmonising device standards and expanding access to affordable smartphones. According to him, stronger regional cooperation will help Africa build a more competitive and self-reliant digital economy while creating lasting economic opportunities for millions of people.
