Reaffirming its belief that regional collaboration is essential to a thriving digital economy, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has reiterated its commitment to strengthening partnerships among telecommunications regulators across the West African sub-region.
The pledge was restated at the weekend when the Commission hosted a high-level delegation from the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) at its headquarters in Abuja.
Speaking during the engagement, the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, represented by the Director of Corporate Planning, Strategy and Risk Management, Dr. Kelechi Nwankwo, underscored the Commission’s statutory responsibility to work closely with sister regulatory bodies within the sub-region and beyond to accelerate digital economy growth and enhance the quality of life of citizens.
According to him, the NCC’s long-standing participation in regional platforms such as the West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA) reflects its conviction that West Africa becomes more resilient, competitive and prosperous when its countries are digitally interconnected.
He further stressed that collaboration remains a central pillar of the NCC Board’s vision, noting that sustained engagement with regional partners is critical to advancing the interests of telecommunications consumers and other industry stakeholders across the region.
Maida recalled the Commission’s advocacy for the recognition of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) as critical national infrastructure within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), noting that Nigeria has already designated ICT as part of its critical national information infrastructure to give it the prominence required for sustainable growth.
He assured the Liberian delegation of the NCC’s readiness to provide support in advancing regional shared initiatives and translating discussions into actionable outcomes within the sub-region.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the LTA, Hon. Clarence Massaquoi, commended the NCC for making itself available in the spirit of regional coordination and collaboration, describing the engagement as critical to strengthening regulatory responsibilities across the sub-region.
Massaquoi acknowledged that Nigeria remains the largest economy in the region and a central player in Africa’s communications, security, and economic structures, that progress made by Nigeria often has far-reaching impacts across other West African countries.
He explained that since his assumption of office as the Liberian chief telecom regulator, the LTA has prioritized strengthening relationships with regional institutions to support ECOWAS’ vision of integration as effective regional integration cannot be achieved without affordable and reliable communications services, particularly in addressing cross-border roaming challenges.
The LTA Chairman disclosed that Liberia had signed bilateral agreements with The Gambia and Côte d’Ivoire and is at advanced stages of discussion with Ghana and Guinea-Conakry and that the Liberian regulator remained committed to active participation in WATRA.
Massaquoi further sought NCC’s support in regulatory capacity building and the sharing of best practices, particularly as Liberia reviews its licensing regime to reflect emerging technologies and align with regional standards.
The two regulators also underscored the centrality of shared commitment to deepen collaboration, identify priority areas for engagement, and advance initiatives that will promote seamless connectivity, regional integration, and socio-economic development across West Africa.
