By our reporter 27.6.2026
Nigeria is desperately in need of investors who will establish smart phones manufacturing hubs in the country.
Nigeria Communications Commission governing board chairman Idris Olorunnimbe, said he would be championing the need to grant presidential waivers and incentives to investors willing to establish smartphone manufacturing plants in Nigeria.
Olurunnimbe made the remarks at the Digital Africa Summit Roundtable held in Shanghai, China, on June 24.
“If any manufacturer in this room, or any manufacturer listening to these proceedings will commit to building a factory in Nigeria, and to beginning construction between now and November, I will take that commitment to the President myself and seek the waivers and the support you need to make it happen,” he said.
Olorunnimbe noted that attracting smartphone manufacturers to Nigeria would lower device costs, generate thousands of jobs, strengthen local value chains and reduce the nation’s dependence on imported handsets.
He explained that the country’s heavy reliance on imported devices leaves consumers vulnerable to high prices, exchange rate fluctuations and disruptions in global supply chains, making smartphones unaffordable for many Nigerians.
“Local manufacturing will help expand digital inclusion by making quality smartphones more affordable and accessible to ordinary Nigerians, especially young people, students and small business owners,” he said.
“The aim is to build phones in Nigeria that match the imported phones on quality and beat them on price. A locally made device that asks Nigerians to settle for less is not worth making,” he stated.
Olorunnimbe pointed out that Nigeria’s market of more than 170 million mobile connections and over 150 million mobile internet users presents a significant opportunity for smartphone manufacturers.