The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is set to draft a new regulatory framework to address growing concerns around fraud, spam, and data privacy in the application-to-person (A2P) messaging sector.
Aminu Maida, the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the NCC, shared this news at a virtual stakeholders’ forum held on Friday.
Represented by Chizua Whyte, the Head of Legal and Regulatory Services at NCC, Maida emphasised the importance of A2P messaging, which involves businesses using automated systems to send mobile messages to consumers. These messages could range from bank alerts and healthcare reminders to promotional campaigns and government updates.
Maida said A2P messaging has become essential in today’s digital world. He stressed that the platform plays a key role in improving communication and supporting socio-economic development across Nigeria.
“It has become the go-to platform for businesses to send notifications, whether transactional, promotional, or service-related, directly to consumers,” Maida said.
The NCC head also highlighted that A2P messaging is critical for government communication with citizens, facilitating the efficient delivery of services and public information.
“For the government, A2P messaging is a powerful tool for communication with citizens, enabling the efficient delivery of public services and information,” Maida explained.
He added that consumers benefit from timely, secure, and reliable access to essential updates and services, while the industry itself enjoys opportunities for growth, innovation, and healthy competition.
However, Maida acknowledged significant challenges in the sector. These issues, he said, include fraud, spam, data privacy concerns, and an unequal distribution of value across the ecosystem. These problems have not only affected consumers and businesses but have also threatened the long-term sustainability of A2P messaging in Nigeria.
“These gaps in the A2P messaging space have led to issues such as fraud, spam, data privacy concerns, and an unequal distribution of value across the ecosystem,” Maida stated.
Maida’s words were part of a broader discussion on the proposed regulatory framework for the A2P messaging industry. The NCC intends to ensure that the platform remains effective, secure, and transparent, and that it continues to deliver value to all parties involved.
“This forum marks a pivotal step toward addressing these challenges. Today we will be presenting the proposed regulatory framework for A2P messaging to you, our valued stakeholders, for deliberation,” he said.
The draft framework is intended to promote innovation while ensuring that businesses, consumers, and other stakeholders operate in a secure, transparent, and fair environment.
“We firmly believe that effective regulation stems from inclusivity and collaboration,” Maida said.
The NCC’s commitment to developing a fair and transparent A2P messaging ecosystem is clear. Maida stressed that the framework’s goal is to create a sustainable industry that both protects consumers and fosters healthy competition.
“We want to create a sustainable and thriving A2P messaging ecosystem that protects consumers, promotes fair competition, and unlocks new opportunities for growth,” he said.
Stakeholders from across the sector were invited to participate in the forum, including mobile operators, aggregators, businesses, service providers, and consumers. The aim is to gather diverse opinions and feedback to help refine the framework.
Maida encouraged all stakeholders to engage meaningfully in the discussions, offering suggestions and recommendations that would help shape the future of A2P messaging in Nigeria.
“We are looking forward to your constructive feedback and ideas, which will help us build a more effective and inclusive regulatory framework,” he said.
The upcoming regulatory framework represents a significant step toward ensuring the future success of A2P messaging in Nigeria. By addressing issues like fraud and spam, the NCC aims to create an environment where consumers can safely receive important messages, while businesses can continue to use A2P messaging as a powerful communication tool.
As Nigeria’s digital landscape continues to evolve, the introduction of this regulatory framework could set the standard for other nations in Africa facing similar challenges.
The NCC’s initiative shows that the Nigerian government is committed to regulating the growing A2P messaging sector while maintaining a focus on consumer protection and industry fairness.
The draft framework is expected to provide a roadmap for businesses, operators, and service providers to navigate the complex A2P messaging ecosystem.
The NCC’s drive to balance regulation and innovation in the messaging sector could help unlock new opportunities for growth and further solidify Nigeria’s position as a digital leader in Africa.
Maida concluded the forum by reiterating the need for stakeholder collaboration.
“We urge everyone involved to contribute their ideas and perspectives, so that we can collectively build a framework that ensures the long-term success of A2P messaging in Nigeria,” he said.
