NCC Commits To Sustainable A2P Messaging Ecosystem

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), says it is determined to create a thriving and sustainable Application-to-Person (A2P) messaging ecosystem to protect consumers, promote fair competition and unlock new opportunities for growth.

Dr Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, who stated this in an address he delivered at a Virtual Stakeholders’ Forum on A2P Licensing Framework in Abuja on Friday, December 20, 2024, said it has become the go-to platform for businesses to send notifications, whether transactional, promotional, or service-related, directly to consumers.

He noted that from bank alerts and healthcare reminders to promotional campaigns and government updates, A2P messaging drives efficiency, enhances communication and supports socio-economic development.

Dr Maida, who was represented by Mrs Chizua Whyte, Acting Head of the Regulatory Services of the Commission, said that A2P messaging plays a vital role in today’s digital world.

The EVC of the NCC said that for the government, A2P messaging is a powerful tool for communication with citizens, enabling the efficient delivery of public services and information while for consumers, it guarantees timely, secure, and reliable access to essential updates and services.

In the words of Maida; “For the industry, it creates opportunities for businesses and service providers to innovate, drive competition, and achieve sustainable growth.

“Despite its undeniable value, the international A2P messaging space in Nigeria faces significant challenges, including consumer protection, fraud prevention, and ensuring industry fairness.

“These gaps have led to issues such as fraud, spam, data privacy concerns, and an unequal distribution of value across the ecosystem. Such challenges not only affect businesses and consumers but also pose a threat to the sustainable growth and potential of this crucial communication tool,” he said.

Maida said the Stakeholders forum marked a pivotal step towards addressing the challenges, adding that the NCC will be presenting the proposed regulatory framework for A2P messaging to the valued stakeholders, for deliberation.

He said that the framework represented the NCC’s commitment to fostering innovation while ensuring that all players in the value chain operate in a fair, transparent, and secure environment.

According to Maida; “At the Nigerian Communications Commission, our strategic focus is centred on three key stakeholders: the government, consumers, and the industry—our licensees. Each of these stakeholders plays a vital role in the success of the A2P messaging platform.

“At the NCC, we firmly believe that effective regulation stems from inclusivity and collaboration. This forum is an opportunity for all of us—operators, aggregators, businesses, service providers, and consumers—to engage in meaningful discussions. We want to hear from you—your perspectives, experiences, and recommendations—so that together, we can refine this framework to ensure it meets the needs of all of us.

“Our goal is to create a sustainable and thriving A2P messaging ecosystem that protects consumers, promotes fair competition, and unlocks new opportunities for growth. To achieve this, your active participation today is essential. I urge you to engage constructively, provide feedback, and contribute ideas that will help shape the future of A2P messaging in Nigeria,” he stressed.

The NCC boss assured the Commission remain committed to providing a regulatory environment that supports innovation, protects stakeholders, and ensures that the telecommunications sector continues to thrive.

He commended the Stakeholder Forum on Application-to-Person, or A2P, Messaging for agreeing to come together to deliberate on a critical segment of the telecommunications ecosystem that affects businesses, consumers, and service providers alike.