The Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) has raised alarms over the persistent challenges threatening the growth and sustainability of the telecom sector.
At the association's 31st anniversary event in Lagos, ATCON President Tony Emoekpere stressed that multiple taxation, Right of Way (RoW) hurdles, and infrastructure vandalism are stifling the industry's potential. He emphasized the critical role telecommunications play in Nigeria’s digital transformation yet warned that systemic issues continue to obstruct progress.
Emoekpere highlighted the heavy tax burden from federal, state, and local governments, which creates an unfriendly business environment and discourages investment. He also pointed out the complicated and costly process of obtaining permissions for infrastructure rollouts, which delays broadband expansion and network upgrades. Additionally, the persistent vandalism of telecom infrastructure, including fiber cables and base stations, leads to significant financial losses and service disruptions.
To address these challenges, Emoekpere called for a collaborative effort among government agencies, policymakers, and industry stakeholders. He urged for harmonized taxation policies, streamlined RoW approval processes, and improved security measures to protect telecom infrastructure from vandalism.
He concluded by stressing the urgency of resolving these foundational issues to fully leverage emerging technologies like 5G and IoT, which present vast opportunities for Nigeria’s digital economy.
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