NCC seeks local smartphone factories to reduce phone prices

Nigeria aims to significantly reduce smartphone prices and boost digital inclusion by attracting investors to establish local manufacturing factories. Idris Olorunnimbe, Chairman of the Governing Board of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), pledged to secure presidential incentives for companies willing to build smartphone factories in the country.

Olorunnimbe stated that local smartphone production is the most sustainable solution to Nigeria's growing device affordability challenge. He promised to personally engage President Bola Tinubu to secure waivers and government support for manufacturers who commit to starting factory construction in Nigeria before November. This initiative seeks to create thousands of jobs and strengthen local value chains, reducing the nation's heavy reliance on imported handsets.

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If any manufacturer in this room, or any manufacturer listening to these proceedings will commit to building a factory in Nigeria, and to beginning construction between now and November, I will take that commitment to the President myself and seek the waivers and the support you need to make it happen.

The current dependence on imported devices exposes Nigerian consumers to high prices, foreign exchange volatility, and supply chain disruptions. Local manufacturing would allow a larger portion of production costs to be denominated in naira, stabilizing prices and improving access for millions currently excluded from the digital economy. Affordable smartphones are considered essential for participation in online education, digital banking, e-commerce, and accessing government services.

While acknowledging past struggles with local smartphone production due to issues like poor quality and weak after-sales support, the NCC chairman expressed confidence in building phones in Nigeria that match imported standards. The broader economic benefits include positioning Nigeria as a regional hub for device assembly and technology manufacturing, creating opportunities across the supply chain.

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Local manufacturing will help expand digital inclusion by making quality smartphones more affordable and accessible to ordinary Nigerians, especially young people, students and small business owners.