Nigeria: Orange Group Eyes Nigeria’s Technology Market, Meets NCC

Orange Group, a telecom investor and operator said it is interested in making an entry into Africa’s biggest technology market as it explores ways to deepen broadband penetration.

Orange Group has a portfolio of a combined network of over 140 million subscribers across 18 countries of its operations.

“We are here to ensure steady investment for the long term,” Victoria Adefala, Team Lead, Orange Middle East and Africa, said during a visit to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in Abuja.

She said Orange Group wants to support the vision of the Commission in driving broadband penetration for a robust digital economy and leveraging local content development initiatives.

The delegation, including Jean Chalhoub, Africa Director of Regulatory Affairs, Orange Group, sought clarifications on several regulatory and policy issues that will engender the company’s speedy entry into the country.

Reuben Muoka, Director of Public Affairs, NCC; Adefala said Nigeria is missing in Orange Group’s portfolio of a combined network of over 140 million subscribers across 18 countries of its operations.

“The large market potentials buoyed by the huge population, impressive Gross Domestic Product (GDP) figure, proximity to our operations in neighboring African countries, as well as the appreciable friendly operating environment are great motivators for our expansion plan into the Nigerian telecom market.”

Professor Umar Garba Danbatta, Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO), NCC reassured the delegation of a robust policy and regulatory environment that provides quality and has the full support of the Federal Government, as evidenced in the contents of such instruments, like the Executive Order 001 on the promotion of transparency and efficiency in business, the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), and the Federal Government’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP).

He said the commission has also taken several other regulatory steps aimed at improving the operational environment, such as ongoing collaboration with Nigerian Governor’s Forum (NGF) to reduce RoW charges on telecom infrastructure deployments; signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) with various government and institutional stakeholders across the country; developed guidelines and regulations to promote colocation of infrastructure.