Orange Group is in talks with Nigeria Communications Commission over its intent to enter the Nigerian telecommunications market.
A team of 6 from the Orange Group’s Middle East and Africa (MEA), paid a visit to NCC in Abuja-Nigeria’s capital city, to inquire about market opportunities in the country.
The team was led by Orange Group non-executive director Victoria Adefala, who stated that the group is fully determined to do all it takes to get a slice of the Nigerian market. Adefala said that Nigeria is missing in Orange Group’s portfolio of a combined network of over 140 million subscribers across the 18 countries of its operations.
The delegation, including Orange’s Africa Director of Regulatory Affairs, Jean Chalhoub, made inquiry into several regulatory and policy issues that will engender the company’s speedy entry into the country.
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NCC’s chief, Umar Danbatta, who welcomed the Group with enthusiasm, said Orange group is welcome to invest in Nigeria. He assured the delegation of a robust policy and regulatory environment that provides quality enabling infrastructure, along with the full support of the Federal Government, as evidenced by such instruments as Executive Order 001 on the promotion of transparency and efficiency in the business, the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), and the Federal Government’s Economy Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) with ample provisions to protect investors.
He said the commission had undertaken several regulatory steps geared toward improving the telecommunication industry, such as the ongoing collaboration with the Nigerian Governor’s Forum (NGF) to cut down Right of Way (RoW) charges on telecommunication infrastructure deployments. He said various Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) had been signed with the government and institutional stakeholders across the country.
He also said that the Commission had developed guidelines and regulations to promote colocation of infrastructure and to improve the upholding of fair competitive operating environment for telecommunication companies in Nigeria.
Professor Danbatta assured the delegation that they can expect robust regulatory policies “that provides enabling environment for such investments.”
Also present at the meeting were the two Executive Commissioners of the Commission, Ubale Maska and Barrister Adeleke Adewolu, and several directors.
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Danbatta said the successful auction of the 5G spectrum is a clear indication of investor confidence in the country and that investment opportunities are available in voice and data, both upstream and downstream of the sectors, with certainty on investment returns.
Statements from both parties
Speaking about the intention of the Orange group, Victoria Adefala stated, “We are here to ensure steady investment for a long term. We want to support the vision of the commission (NCC) in driving broadband penetration for a robust digital economy and leverage on local content development initiatives. The large market potentials buoyed by a huge population, impressive GDP figure, proximity to our operations in neighbouring African countries, and appreciable operating environment are great motivators for our expansion plan into the Nigerian telecom market.”
Professor Umar Danbatta while addressing the team stated that, “We welcome more investment into the Nigerian telecom sector. We have enabling laws and regulations that help us to engender a highly competitive telecom market that benefits both the service providers and the consumers. The NCC is here to ensure we support our licensees thrive while we also ensure that they comply with the Quality of Service (QoS) and key performance indicators set by the commission because Nigerians will patronise an operator that provides them with affordable services at high-quality.”
Orange group’s interest is not just in the Nigerian telecommunications market but also in diversified areas, including mobile, data, fixed line, as well as financial technology support services.
Orange would be entering a highly competitive telecom market in Nigeria, with four other operators already vying for power, with MTN Nigeria holding the largest market share, followed by Globacom, Airtel, and finally 9Mobile.
About Orange Group
Orange Group Middle East and Africa (MEA) is the second largest telecommunications company on the African continent. It generates $11 billion in annual revenue and is present in 23 countries with over 253 million customers.
The company has taken the lead in constructing telecommunications infrastructure, having installed underground coverage stations throughout Cairo and other major Egyptian population centres. It also collaborates with satellite companies to offer roaming services, providing its customers the flexibility to make calls from various locations