On Saturday, 28 June 2026 in Shanghai, China, the Chairman of the Governing Board of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Idris Olorunnimbe, announced that the Federal Government is actively exploring a Nigeria smartphone factory plan aimed at establishing local smartphone manufacturing plants to reduce device costs, create employment and expand digital access across the country.
The announcement was made during a Digital Africa Summit roundtable session, where Idris Olorunnimbe outlined ongoing discussions with federal authorities on incentives designed to attract global and local investors into Nigeria’s emerging technology manufacturing space.
Idris Olorunnimbe said the proposed initiative is designed to strengthen Nigeria’s digital economy while addressing long-standing concerns over the high cost of mobile devices, which continues to limit access for millions of citizens, particularly students and small business owners.
Speaking at the event, Idris Olorunnimbe stated, “The aim is to build phones in Nigeria that match imported phones on quality and beat them on price. A locally made device that asks Nigerians to settle for less is not worth making.”
The Nigeria smartphone factory plan is also expected to reduce reliance on imported devices, which currently exposes consumers to foreign exchange volatility and fluctuating retail prices.
According to the NCC, local production could stabilise pricing and improve affordability across the market.
Beyond pricing concerns, the initiative carries broader economic implications. Officials believe it could generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs across assembly lines, logistics, retail distribution and technical support services, offering a potential boost to Nigeria’s struggling manufacturing base.
Secondary policy discussions reportedly include a smartphone instalment payment scheme, which would allow users to acquire devices through structured repayment plans.
This is intended to widen access to internet-enabled devices and accelerate digital inclusion nationwide.
Olorunnimbe also acknowledged previous attempts at local smartphone assembly that failed to scale due to quality concerns and weak after-sales structures.
However, he stressed that future investments would be guided by stricter standards to ensure competitiveness with imported brands.
He added that Nigeria’s large mobile market, with over 150 million internet users and more than 170 million mobile connections, presents a significant opportunity for investors willing to participate in the sector.
The Nigeria smartphone factory plan is being positioned as part of a broader industrial strategy that could transform the country into a regional hub for device manufacturing and technology assembly, provided that regulatory incentives and infrastructure support are effectively implemented.
Industry stakeholders at the summit described the proposal as ambitious but potentially transformative, noting that consistent policy direction and investor confidence will be critical to its success.
Mariam Balogun is a contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
