The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has introduced a draft regulatory framework designed to tackle fraud, spam, and other issues in the Application-to-Person messaging sector.
The telecom regulator announced this in a statement on Friday. The proposed framework, introduced at a virtual Stakeholders’ Forum, aims to bolster the sector’s integrity and foster a fair, transparent environment for all stakeholders.
The presented draft framework, led by Aminu Maida, executive vice chairman of the NCC and represented by Chizua Whyte, the NCC’s acting head of legal and regulatory services, aims to govern the A2P messaging sector.
The A2P messaging, used for notifications such as bank alerts, promotional campaigns, and government updates, has become a vital communication tool in Nigeria. However, the sector faces significant challenges, including consumer protection concerns, fraud, and data privacy issues, as well as an unequal distribution of value within the ecosystem.
“The international A2P messaging space in Nigeria faces gaps that have led to issues such as fraud, spam, and data privacy concerns. These challenges threaten the sustainable growth of this communication tool,” the NCC said.
NCC emphasized its commitment to fostering innovation while ensuring a secure, transparent environment for businesses, consumers, and service providers.
The proposed framework aims to address these challenges by protecting consumers, promoting fair competition, and holding service providers accountable.
“This forum marks a pivotal step towards addressing these challenges. We are here to engage with all stakeholders—operators, aggregators, businesses, service providers, and consumers—to refine the framework and ensure it meets the needs of the entire ecosystem.”
The NCC stressed the importance of inclusivity and collaboration in creating an effective regulatory environment.