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The Nigerian telecom industry has been called upon to tackle critical challenges such as right-of-way (RoW) bottlenecks and multiple taxation, which continue to impede infrastructure development and the nation’s digital transformation.
This appeal was made by the President of the Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Tony Izuagbe Emoekpere, during the organization’s 31st anniversary celebrations held in Lagos.
Emoekpere emphasized that the telecom sector stands at a transformative crossroads, driven by emerging technologies like 5G, artificial intelligence (AI), and the Internet of Things (IoT), which are reshaping global communication paradigms.
He stated, “Our objectives are well-defined: we must champion policies that encourage innovation and investment, accelerate infrastructure development to close connectivity gaps, and foster collaboration between public and private sectors to establish Nigeria as a leading digital economy in Africa.”
The telecom sector’s growth is being hindered by an excessive tax burden, with telecom operators paying over N2 trillion in taxes in 2023 alone. This figure includes approximately 50 different taxes imposed by federal, state, and local governments.
Emoekpere’s remarks underscore the need for regulatory reforms and unified efforts to create an enabling environment for the telecom industry to thrive, ensuring its contribution to Nigeria’s digital economy ambitions.
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