Nigeria’s telecommunications sector has achieved a significant milestone with the complete transition to local production of SIM cards, marking a departure from its reliance on imports.
This achievement comes following the country’s ban on SIM card imports in August 2022, aimed at bolstering local participation and stimulating the economy.
The milestone was announced by Babagana Digima, Head of New Media and Information Security at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), during a media training session in Lagos.
Digima highlighted the pivotal role played by the NCC’s Nigeria Office for Development in the Indigenous Telecommunications Sector (NODITS) in promoting local content and enhancing indigenous participation.
“In alignment with the government’s directive to promote local manufacturing, we are pleased to announce that 100% of SIM cards used in Nigeria are now produced locally,” Digima stated.
“This achievement underscores our commitment to fostering self-reliance and enhancing the country’s technological independence.”
The initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy under the leadership of Isa Pantami, saw the establishment of a state-of-the-art SIM card manufacturing plant in Lagos.
The plant, capable of producing over 200 million SIM cards annually, is a cornerstone of Nigeria’s drive towards technological self-sufficiency.
“We aim to increase indigenous content in the ICT sector significantly, aiming for at least 80% self-reliance by 2025,” Pantami remarked in 2022 when announcing the import ban.
Digima further elaborated on NODITS’ efforts to support local manufacturing, including grants and incentives for companies engaged in producing telecommunications infrastructure such as fibre cables and telecom towers.
“Before NODITS intervened, nearly all SIM cards in Nigeria were imported,” Digima explained. “Now, through strategic initiatives and partnerships, we have successfully reversed this trend.”
Abraham Oshadami, Executive Commissioner for Technical Services at the NCC, underscored the importance of transparent communication between the commission and the public. He emphasized the role of media executives in disseminating accurate information about sector developments.
“This initiative will reshape the industry landscape, ensuring stakeholders and consumers are well-informed,” Oshadami affirmed during the NCC event in Lagos.
