ATCON Pushes Local Content Framework to Boost Jobs, Innovation in Telecom Sector

By Francisca Okoye,

Nigeria’s telecom industry is moving toward a more structured local participation model, as the Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) intensifies calls for a formal local content framework to drive economic growth.

Speaking at the association’s Annual General Meeting, ATCON President, Tony Emoekpere, said increasing indigenous participation is critical to unlocking the full value of Nigeria’s digital economy.

Local ISPs Seen as Key to Broadband Expansion
According to ATCON, local Internet Service Providers (ISPs) will play a central role in extending broadband access, particularly in underserved and rural areas where last-mile connectivity remains limited.
The push comes as Nigeria continues efforts to deepen internet penetration and expand digital access across the country.
Industry stakeholders say stronger participation by local firms could improve service delivery while creating opportunities across sectors such as fintech, software development, and digital platforms.

Local Content Framed as Economic Strategy
Chidi Ibisi of Broadbased Communication Limited said local content should be approached as an economic development strategy rather than a protectionist policy.
He noted that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) account for over 98% of businesses in Nigeria and contribute more than half of GDP, making them central to economic expansion.
While acknowledging the importance of foreign investment in capital-intensive sectors like telecommunications, Ibisi said aligning it with local participation is essential for long-term value retention and job creation.

Call for Clear Framework and Implementation
Stakeholders at the meeting emphasized the need for clearly defined guidelines for local content in the telecom and ICT sectors.
They warned that a lack of clarity around definitions, compliance, and implementation could weaken the effectiveness of such policies.
Participants pointed to Nigeria’s oil and gas sector as an example of how structured local content frameworks can drive capacity development, suggesting a similar approach could be adapted for telecoms.

$900 Million Broadband Push Creates New Opportunities
The push for local content comes alongside industry support for Project BRIDGE, a nationwide fibre optic expansion initiative backed by approximately $900 million in funding from international partners.
The project, supported by institutions including the World Bank, African Development Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and Agence Française de Développement, is expected to extend broadband infrastructure across states, local governments, and communities.
Analysts say the rollout could create significant opportunities for local ISPs and technology firms to participate more actively in Nigeria’s digital economy.

Balancing Growth, Investment, and Capacity Development
Industry players cautioned against the misuse of local content policies, noting that they should not be reduced to contract allocation mechanisms without genuine investment in skills and capacity development.
ATCON said it plans to establish a multi-stakeholder committee to develop a telecom-specific local content framework and promote industry-led self-regulation.

Outlook: Local Capacity as a Growth Lever
As Nigeria expands its broadband infrastructure, analysts say the combination of increased connectivity and stronger local participation could accelerate innovation, job creation, and economic inclusion.
With existing strengths in areas such as fintech and software development, stakeholders argue that building local capacity will be critical to sustaining long-term growth.

Digitnomics Insight
Local content in telecoms is shifting from policy rhetoric to economic strategy. As broadband infrastructure expands, the real question is not just access—but who captures the value created across Nigeria’s digital economy.