By Kehinde KOLAWOLE
On December 20, 2024, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) organized a virtual Stakeholders’ Forum to discuss the Draft Application-to-Person (A2P) Licensing Framework.
The event, themed “Stakeholder Forum on A2P Messaging,” brought together key players in the telecommunications ecosystem to explore the framework’s potential to revolutionize the industry and other sectors. The discussions focused on fostering collaboration among businesses, consumers, and service providers to maximize the benefits of A2P messaging.
By aligning critical stakeholders, the NCC aims to enhance the efficiency and impact of A2P messaging, underscoring its pivotal role in driving innovation and connectivity across Nigeria’s digital landscape.
In her welcome address at the Stakeholders’ Forum on A2P Messaging, Mrs. Chizua Whyte, Acting Head of Legal & Regulatory Services, speaking on behalf of the NCC Executive Vice Chairman, Dr. Aminu Maida, emphasized the critical importance of Application-to-Person (A2P) messaging in today’s digital economy.
She noted that A2P messaging has become an indispensable tool for businesses and institutions to connect directly with consumers through notifications that are transactional, promotional, or service-related.
“From bank alerts and healthcare reminders to promotional campaigns and government updates, A2P messaging drives efficiency, enhances communication, and supports socio-economic development,” Mrs. Whyte stated.
The NCC underscored its commitment to optimizing this platform to foster innovation, streamline communication, and empower businesses and consumers alike.
Speaking at the Stakeholders’ Forum on A2P Messaging, Mrs. Chizua Whyte, Acting Head of Legal & Regulatory Services, highlighted the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) strategic focus on three critical stakeholders: the government, consumers, and the telecommunications industry. She emphasized their collective role in ensuring the success of the A2P messaging platform.
“For the government, A2P messaging is a transformative tool for communicating with citizens, facilitating efficient public service delivery and timely dissemination of information,” she explained. “For consumers, it ensures secure, reliable, and prompt access to essential updates and services. For the industry, it unlocks avenues for innovation, drives competition, and fosters sustainable growth.”
Mrs. Whyte reaffirmed the NCC’s commitment to fostering collaboration among these stakeholders to harness the full potential of A2P messaging in driving socio-economic development and digital transformation.
While underscoring the immense value of Application-to-Person (A2P) messaging, Mrs. Chizua Whyte, Acting Head of Legal & Regulatory Services at the NCC, highlighted key challenges facing the international A2P messaging landscape in Nigeria.
She pointed out issues such as consumer protection, fraud prevention, and ensuring industry fairness as critical gaps in the system. These challenges have given rise to fraud, spam, data privacy breaches, and an unequal distribution of value within the ecosystem.
“These issues not only undermine trust and efficiency for businesses and consumers but also threaten the sustainable growth and potential of this essential communication tool,” Mrs. Whyte noted.
The NCC reiterated its commitment to addressing these challenges, fostering a secure and equitable A2P messaging environment that supports innovation and socio-economic development.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has reaffirmed its dedication to fostering innovation and ensuring fairness in the A2P messaging ecosystem. Hosting the recent Stakeholders’ Forum on A2P Messaging was described as a pivotal step toward tackling challenges such as fraud, data privacy concerns, and unequal value distribution within the sector.
Mrs. Chizua Whyte, Acting Head of Legal & Regulatory Services, emphasized that the forum reflected the NCC’s commitment to inclusivity and collaboration, which it believes are the foundation of effective regulation. She called for active participation from stakeholders, stressing the importance of collective effort in building a sustainable and thriving A2P messaging ecosystem.
“Our goal is to protect consumers, promote fair competition, and unlock new opportunities for growth,” Mrs. Whyte stated. She assured attendees that the NCC would continue to provide a regulatory framework that supports innovation and safeguards all players, ensuring the telecommunications sector remains a driver of Nigeria’s socio-economic development.
At the recent virtual Stakeholders’ Forum on A2P Messaging, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) presented feedback received from licensees as part of the consultative process for the proposed A2P Licensing Framework. Each observation and recommendation was addressed by the Commission, showcasing its commitment to transparency and collaboration.
The NCC emphasized that the forum marked the beginning of an ongoing process. Beyond the initial discussions, the Commission pledged to continue engaging both internal and external stakeholders to refine the framework. This approach aligns with the NCC’s participatory rule-making philosophy, ensuring that the final draft of the A2P Messaging Services Licensing Framework reflects the collective insights and needs of the industry.
By fostering open dialogue, the NCC aims to create a robust framework that supports innovation, ensures fairness, and strengthens the A2P messaging ecosystem in Nigeria.
As part of the Stakeholders’ Forum on A2P Messaging, Mrs. Truddy Tony-Awusaku, Assistant Director at the Licensing and Authorization Department of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), delivered a detailed presentation on the proposed framework for international A2P messaging in Nigeria.
Her presentation offered an insightful overview of the framework, highlighting its objectives, key components, and potential impact on the telecommunications sector. It underscored the NCC’s vision for a streamlined and secure A2P messaging ecosystem that fosters innovation while addressing challenges such as fraud, data privacy concerns, and equitable value distribution.
The session provided stakeholders with a comprehensive understanding of the framework’s design and invited further input to ensure it meets the needs of businesses, consumers, and service providers. The NCC reiterated its commitment to developing a regulatory structure that supports sustainable growth and strengthens Nigeria’s position in the global digital economy.
