{
  "id": 12080698,
  "title": "NCC: Nigeria’s data consumption rises by 47% as demand outpaces network capacity",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/ncc-nigerias-data-consumption-rises-by-47-as-demand-outpaces-network",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-05T05:10:08.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Post Nigeria",
    "slug": "daily-post-nigeria",
    "url": "https://dailypost.ng/2026/10/05/ncc-nigerias-data-consumption-rises-by-47-as-demand-outpaces-network-capacity/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has expressed concerns over the rapid increase in data consumption within Nigeria, stating that the demand for digital connectivity is surpassing the capacity of existing networks. This issue was highlighted during the Nigeria Digital Connectivity Investment Forum 2026, held in Abuja from September 29-30. According to the NCC, Nigeria consumed approximately 1.6 million terabytes of data in July 2026, reflecting a near 47% increase over the past year. The telecommunications subscriptions, currently estimated at around 195 million, are projected to rise to 350 million within the next 10 to 15 years, exacerbating the strain on networks, data centers, and electricity infrastructure.\n\nThe forum, organized by the NCC in collaboration with Swedfund and Ookla, emphasized the need for increased investment in digital infrastructure, reliable power supply, and cloud computing. The commission noted that cloud computing and artificial intelligence are expected to further drive up demand, highlighting the necessity for substantial investments in digital infrastructure and a dependable power supply. Telecommunications and information services constituted 9.72% of Nigeria’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) during the second quarter of 2026. However, the NCC pointed out that access to digital services is impeded by factors beyond network coverage, such as device affordability, digital skills, and trust. The commission observed that while mobile broadband reaches approximately 90% of Nigerians, smartphone ownership is only around 27%, and broadband penetration stands at 57.4%, falling short of the national target of 70%.\n\nKey challenges identified by the NCC include the high cost of inland connectivity, which limits data center and internet service investments to a few major cities, and the expensive powering of telecommunications infrastructure, posing a significant obstacle for tower companies. To address these challenges, the commission recommended planning digital infrastructure and energy investments concurrently, with telecommunications tower clusters acting as potential anchor customers for distributed power generation. Participants at the forum urged the Federal Government to expedite Project BRIDGE, the planned 90,000-kilometer national fiber backbone, to tackle the country's middle-mile connectivity gap. They also called for improved electricity reliability for digital infrastructure, consistent policies, and financing structures that could lower the cost of capital within the sector. The NCC was advised to maintain reforms aimed at enhancing investment conditions, including tariff adjustments, the identification of critical national information infrastructure, and cooperation with state governments on Right of Way charges. Additionally, the commission was urged to release the first national Nigeria Digital Connectivity Index report, promote open-access and wholesale regulation, and finalize its direct-to-device framework. State governments were encouraged to lower and synchronize Right of Way and site permit charges and reduce approval times for telecommunications infrastructure deployment. They were also recommended to introduce affordable devices, including locally produced phones and SIM cards, alongside network expansion.\n\nThe forum agreed on several priority actions, such as securing funding within six months for community-owned rural networks powered by renewable energy in areas without connectivity. Other recommended steps include issuing open-access and wholesale regulations, publishing a wholesale rate card, completing broadband mapping, and strengthening the Universal Service Fund as the primary funding source for underserved regions. Within 18 to 24 months, participants suggested establishing a financing framework for telecommunications power and developing metro and access fiber through concessions linked to Project BRIDGE. The NCC acknowledged that the issues discussed at the forum, including financing costs, Right of Way restrictions, unreliable power supply, and data infrastructure gaps, are interlinked and necessitate coordinated efforts from government, regulators, investors, financiers, and industry stakeholders. The commission pledged to continue engaging with stakeholders to advance the agreed-upon actions and investment pathways.",
  "summary": "The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has raised concerns over the rapid growth in data consumption, saying Nigeria’s demand for digital connectivity is outpacing the capacity of existing networks. The commission disclosed this in a communiqué issued after the Nigeria Digital Connectivity Investment Forum 2026, held in Abuja from September 29 to 30. According to the […] NCC: Nigeria’s data…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}