NCC strengthens Type Approval Compliance for SIM-enabled devices in Nigeria

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is enhancing its monitoring and enforcement of Type Approval requirements for SIM-enabled devices in Nigeria through an advanced technology-enabled framework. This initiative aims to streamline compliance, ensuring devices imported, sold, and used in the country meet all applicable technical and regulatory standards.

The Device Management System (DMS), as the core technology platform, will bolster the Commission's oversight of the device ecosystem, leading to improved efficiency and consistency in the Type Approval process.

Under Section 132(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, licensed service and facilities providers, equipment manufacturers, and suppliers must secure Type Approval from the NCC before deploying communications equipment in Nigeria. By implementing the DMS, the NCC seeks to fortify the integrity of Nigeria’s communications device market, enhance network performance, facilitate the identification of non-compliant devices, and bolster consumer confidence in devices available in the market.

The Commission has initiated the first phase of the automated Type Approval compliance framework, collaborating closely with key stakeholders such as the Nigeria Customs Service, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), importers, and relevant market associations. This phase concentrates on registering existing devices currently in stock and ensuring that all future imports are properly registered and authenticated, creating a robust mechanism for swiftly identifying non-compliant and illegally imported devices prior to their widespread usage.

Speaking about the rollout, the NCC’s Director of Technical Standards and Network Integrity, Engr. Edoyemi Ogoh, highlighted that the Type Approval Business Rules issued in August 2024 form the regulatory basis for establishing a Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR), which maintains a comprehensive registry of SIM-enabled communications devices in Nigeria.

"The issuance of these Rules marked the commencement of extensive stakeholder engagements and market studies, which guided the design and deployment of the system," explained Engr. Ogoh. By establishing a central repository of International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers for devices in Nigeria, the Commission can more effectively enforce its Type Approval requirements, ensuring that all devices sold, imported, and used in the country comply with the necessary standards. Devices improperly registered will be barred from operating on Nigerian networks.

Beyond bolstering Type Approval compliance, the DMS technology addresses broader challenges within the device market. It streamlines the identification of illegally imported and non-compliant devices and enables the blocking of stolen devices from use across Nigerian mobile networks. Engr. Ogoh assured the public that the platform is strictly designed to support device identification and Type Approval compliance, safeguarding user data by not accessing the content of users’ devices or allowing the Commission to monitor personal communications.