Dr. Aminu Maida, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has expressed the Commission’s unwavering support for law-abiding investors, citing Meta (formerly Facebook) as a prime example. During a visit to the NCC headquarters in Abuja, a delegation from Meta, led by Kojo Boakye, the company’s Vice President for Africa, the Middle East, and Turkey, met with Dr. Maida to discuss collaborative efforts in advancing Nigeria’s digital economy.
Dr. Maida emphasized that regulatory support from the NCC will be contingent upon investors adhering to established rules and regulations within the telecommunications sector. Compliance with industry laws, regulations, and guidelines is considered paramount, creating a level-playing field for all stakeholders and licensees. This approach, he believes, fosters healthy competition and ensures sustainable growth within the Nigerian telecoms sector.
During the meeting, Boakye congratulated Dr. Maida on his appointment by the President and shared Meta’s ongoing efforts to bring the 2Africa Cable project to Nigeria. The ambitious 45,000-kilometer submarine cable, set to go live in 2023, is touted as one of the world’s largest subsea cable projects. It will connect Europe, Asia, and Africa, delivering a capacity of up to 180 terabytes per second (Tbps).
Boakye highlighted the significance of the 2Africa Cable, stating that it will address the increasing demand for Internet capacity and reliability across Africa, support growth in the Middle East, and contribute to the expansion of 4G, 5G, and fixed broadband access. The Meta-led consortium plans to land the cable simultaneously in Lagos and Akwa-Ibom States, aiming to connect the unconnected while providing enhanced and affordable access to those already connected.
Seeking NCC’s support, Boakye emphasized the importance of navigating legal and regulatory hurdles in bringing the submarine cable to Nigeria. The collaboration between Meta and the NCC is seen as a step toward achieving a robust digital economy in alignment with the government’s agenda.
