Old telecom rules can’t handle AI, digital era, says NCC

Africa's telecommunications regulators must overhaul their traditional regulatory approaches to effectively manage the rapid technological changes sweeping the industry, according to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). The NCC warns that existing frameworks are no longer sufficient for an industry increasingly driven by artificial intelligence, satellite services, cloud computing, and digital public infrastructure.

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Our discussion today turns on one question that matters to every regulator in this room. How do we use data and evidence to make decisions that are smarter, more transparent, and more focused on our consumer? Our markets are no longer simple.

Rimini Makama, the Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management at the NCC, stated at the Head of Regulators Roundtable in Abuja that the telecommunications landscape has become significantly more complex. She emphasized the need for regulators to rely on data and market intelligence rather than conventional methods. "Our markets are no longer simple," Makama said, highlighting the expansion of broadband, the arrival of satellite services, and the reshaping influence of AI, cloud computing, and digital public infrastructure.

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Broadband is expanding, satellite services are arriving, AI, cloud computing, and digital public infrastructure are reshaping our sector. The old regulatory approaches were built for a simpler time. They are no longer enough.

Makama explained that while regulators across Africa now possess vast amounts of technical, market, and consumer data, the primary challenge lies in converting this information into better regulatory decisions. "To stay ahead of the problem and not just react to it, we need trusted intelligence," she stated. She noted that as African digital markets become more interconnected, regulators share similar responsibilities in protecting consumers, promoting competition, attracting investment, and strengthening network resilience.

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To stay ahead of the problem and not just react to it, we need trusted intelligence.

The NCC has developed a regulatory intelligence ecosystem that integrates multiple data sources, including quality of service indicators, consumer complaints, compliance analytics, and market intelligence. This system aims to support evidence-based policymaking. Makama urged regulators continent-wide to deepen collaboration by sharing practical experiences and developing trusted approaches to data verification, advanced analytics, and consumer-focused regulation.

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The challenge is not collecting it. The challenge is turning it into better decisions.