The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has issued a clarion call for regional telecommunications interconnection, asserting that West Africa’s prosperity is inextricably linked to the seamless connectivity of its member states.
The Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, made this appeal during a high-level visit from the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) at the NCC’s Abuja headquarters over the weekend.
Represented by Dr. Kelechi Nwankwo, Director of Corporate Planning, Strategy and Risk Management, Maida emphasized that a unified digital infrastructure is the primary engine for expanding the digital economy and uplifting the living standards of citizens across the sub-region.
The NCC reaffirmed its commitment to the West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA), positioning regional integration as a core strategic pillar. Key highlights of the discussion include NCC is advocating for ICT to be recognized as Critical National Infrastructure across all ECOWAS nations, a status Nigeria has already implemented to ensure sustainable tech growth.
Also, a sustained engagement with regional partners is viewed as essential for protecting telecom consumers and driving innovation. Furthermore, both regulators identified affordable and reliable communication as the backbone of true regional integration.
The Chairman of the LTA Board of Commissioners, Hon. Clarence Massaquoi, lauded Nigeria’s role as the continent’s communications powerhouse, noting that progress in Nigeria’s tech sector often serves as a blueprint for the rest of the region.
Massaquoi revealed that Liberia is aggressively pursuing integration, having already signed bilateral agreements with The Gambia and Côte d’Ivoire, with further talks underway with Ghana and Guinea-Conakry.
“Effective regional integration cannot be achieved without affordable and reliable communications services,” Massaquoi stated, while seeking the NCC’s expertise in capacity building and licensing regime reviews to accommodate emerging technologies.
The meeting concluded with a mutual pledge to identify priority areas for regulatory engagement and deepen collaboration on seamless cross-border connectivity. Additionally, both parties committed to translating high-level discussions into actionable outcomes for socio-economic development.