News
FG to block unregistered devices from Nigeria’s telecoms networks – Technology Times
Nigeria’s telecommunications regulator is set to block SIM-enabled devices that are not registered and authenticated from operating on the country’s mobile networks as part of a new technology-driven crackdown on non-compliant and illegally imported devices.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) said the measure is being implemented through its Device Management System (DMS), which will electronically determine whether SIM-enabled communications devices comply with the telecoms watchdog’s Type Approval requirements.
The NCC announced the development in a statement signed by Nnenna Ukoha, its Director of Public Affairs, on September 9, 2026, but no time frame was indicated in the announcement made available to Technology Times.
Nigeria’s telecoms market had 195.11 million active mobile subscriptions in July 2026, according to the latest industry statistics from the NCC, underscoring the scale of the network ecosystem affected by the new device-registration regime. The figure represented a rise from 182.23 million active lines in January, while national teledensity reached about 90% in July. The size of the subscriber base means the NCC’s Device Management System (DMS) will operate across a mobile market approaching 200 million active lines, giving the regulator a broad network-level mechanism for identifying and blocking SIM-enabled devices that do not meet its registration and Type Approval requirements.
Nigeria’s telecoms market nears 200 million active lines
Nigeria’s telecoms market had 195.11 million active mobile subscriptions in July 2026, according to the latest industry statistics from the NCC, underscoring the scale of the network ecosystem affected by the new device-registration regime. The figure represented a rise from 182.23 million active lines in January, while national teledensity reached about 90% in July.
The size of the subscriber base means the NCC’s Device Management System (DMS) will operate across a mobile market approaching 200 million active lines, giving the regulator a broad network-level mechanism for identifying and blocking SIM-enabled devices that do not meet its registration and Type Approval requirements.
Under the new framework, NCC said that all SIM-enabled communications devices brought into Nigeria must be registered before they are sold, while devices that are not duly registered will no longer be permitted to operate on Nigerian telecoms networks.
The move represents a significant expansion of the nation’s telecoms regulator’s enforcement of Type Approval rules, shifting compliance monitoring towards an automated system capable of identifying devices through their International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers.
The commission said the DMS will provide the technology platform for the automated compliance framework and improve its oversight of the communications device ecosystem.
The regulatory intervention is also being implemented with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), importers and relevant market associations, putting device compliance at both the border-import stage and network-access stage.
Customs to play role in stopping illegal devices
The NCC said it has commenced the first phase of the automated Type Approval compliance framework and is working with the Nigeria Customs Service and other stakeholders to ensure that devices imported into Nigeria are appropriately registered and authenticated.
The first phase includes onboarding existing devices currently held in stock, while future imports will be subjected to registration and authentication requirements.
This is intended to give the commission a mechanism for identifying non-compliant and illegally imported devices before they enter widespread use on Nigerian networks.
The NCC said it has commenced the first phase of the automated Type Approval compliance framework and is working with the Nigeria Customs Service and other stakeholders to ensure that devices imported into Nigeria are appropriately registered and authenticated. The first phase includes onboarding existing devices currently held in stock, while future imports will be subjected to registration and authentication requirements.
The Customs collaboration gives the new framework a supply-chain dimension, with regulatory checks extending beyond mobile networks to the point at which communications devices enter the country.
The NCC said the system will make it easier to identify illegally imported and non-compliant devices, while improving enforcement of the Type Approval regime.
The commission’s intervention, according to the statement, is based on Section 132(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, which requires licensed service and facilities providers, equipment manufacturers and suppliers to obtain Type Approval from the NCC before communications equipment can be sold or used in Nigeria.
CEIR to underpin device registration
According to Engr. Edoyemi Ogoh, the NCC’s Director of Technical Standards and Network Integrity, the framework is built around the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR), established under the Type Approval Business Rules issued by the commission in August 2024.
The CEIR will maintain a central registry of the IMEI numbers of SIM-enabled communications devices in Nigeria.
Ogoh said the commission began stakeholder engagements and market studies after the 2024 rules were issued, leading to the design and deployment of the current system.
“With the deployment of this system,” Ogoh added, “all SIM-enabled communications devices brought into the country must be registered before they are sold. Devices that are not duly registered will not be permitted to operate on Nigerian networks.”
The use of IMEI numbers gives the NCC a means of identifying individual devices connecting to mobile networks and determining whether they meet the applicable Type Approval requirements.
The commission said this will strengthen its ability to enforce technical standards while providing greater visibility into devices being imported, sold and used in Nigeria.
Stolen phones also targeted
The DMS will not only be used to enforce Type Approval requirements.
The NCC said the system will also help address wider challenges in Nigeria’s device market, including the use of stolen phones.
Devices reported stolen can be blocked from operating across Nigerian mobile networks, potentially reducing the usefulness of stolen devices and making them easier to identify within the communications ecosystem.
The platform will maintain device identification information, including IMEI numbers, but the NCC said it will not have access to the content stored on users’ devices or the ability to monitor personal communications through the system.
The commission said the framework is also expected to enhance network performance and consumer confidence in devices sold and used in Nigeria.
For consumers, the implication is that compliance with the NCC’s device requirements will become increasingly important when purchasing SIM-enabled devices, particularly smartphones and other connected communications equipment.
A device that has not been properly registered could ultimately be prevented from accessing Nigerian mobile networks, regardless of whether the device can technically connect to those networks.
NCC says DMS will not monitor users’ communications
The regulator sought to distinguish the device-management framework from systems designed to monitor communications.
Ogoh said the DMS is designed solely to support device identification and Type Approval compliance.
The platform will maintain device identification information, including IMEI numbers, but the NCC said it will not have access to the content stored on users’ devices or the ability to monitor personal communications through the system.
The commission described the initiative as part of its mandate to ensure that communications devices imported, sold and used in Nigeria meet applicable technical and regulatory standards.
The automated framework is expected to make enforcement more efficient by allowing the NCC to electronically determine whether devices comply with Type Approval requirements.
What the new rule means for Nigeria’s device market
The framework effectively creates a compliance chain extending from importation to sale and finally network access.
Importers and manufacturers will need to ensure that applicable devices are appropriately registered and authenticated. Customs authorities and other stakeholders will work with the NCC to improve checks on devices entering the country, while mobile networks will provide the final point at which non-compliant devices can be prevented from operating.
The NCC said the first implementation phase is already underway, with existing stock being onboarded into the system.
The commission did not state in its announcement when enforcement would begin to block all unregistered devices already in circulation, nor did it provide details of a specific grace period for consumers or traders holding devices that have not yet been registered.
It also did not disclose the categories of devices that will be affected beyond SIM-enabled communications devices.
However, the regulator’s announcement makes clear that registration and authentication will become a condition for SIM-enabled devices to operate on Nigerian networks as the DMS framework is rolled out.
The development places greater responsibility on importers, manufacturers, distributors and retailers to ensure that devices entering the Nigerian market comply with the NCC’s Type Approval regime.
For the Nigeria Customs Service, the collaboration with the NCC introduces an additional regulatory layer for communications equipment entering the country, while for the telecoms regulator, the DMS provides a direct mechanism to enforce compliance at the point of network access.
The NCC said the overall objective is to strengthen the integrity of Nigeria’s communications device ecosystem while improving compliance, network performance and consumer confidence.
Airtel Mobile Commerce N.V. (Airtel Money), the mobile money business of Airtel Africa, has set the offer price for its planned initial public offering (IPO) at £1.96 per share, implying an estimated market capitalisation of £5.3 billion ($7.0 billion) at admission.
Airtel Africa disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, saying Airtel Money intends to list its ordinary shares on the London Stock Exchange, with admission currently expected on 14 October.
The planned listing followed Airtel Africa’s announcement on 23 September of its intention to undertake an IPO for Airtel Money, which operates mobile money services across several African markets.
Listing offer
Under the offer, certain existing shareholders of Airtel Money are expected to sell 270 million existing shares. Also, an additional 27 million shares may be sold if the over-allotment option is fully exercised.
Airtel Africa said it does not expect to sell its existing Airtel Money shares in the offer, except pursuant to the over-allotment option.
The telco said it would remain a “long-term strategic shareholder” in Airtel Money and support the business as it moves into its next phase as an independently listed company.
Based on current indications from existing shareholders, approximately 16.5 per cent of Airtel Money’s issued ordinary share capital is expected to be held in public hands if the over-allotment option is not exercised.
This could rise to approximately 17.5 per cent if the maximum additional shares are sold, according to Airtel Africa.
Airtel Money expects the level of public ownership to make it eligible for inclusion in the FTSE UK indices.
The company said it intends to apply for admission of its ordinary shares to the equity shares category of the Official List of the UK Financial Conduct Authority and for trading on the London Stock Exchange’s Main Market.
Airtel Money said further details of the offer would be contained in its prospectus, which it said would be made available on Airtel Money’s IPO website, subject to applicable access restrictions, on Thursday.
READ ALSO: What Dangote IPO signals – NGX Chairman
Airtel Africa has been planning to spin off its mobile money business from its core telecoms operations following the financial subsidiary’s performance in previous years.
Its mobile money unit, Airtel Money, logged a strong performance in 2025, recording $1.4 billion in turnover, more than one-third higher than what it reported a year before.
Airtel Africa is a leading provider of telecommunications and mobile money services, with operations in 14 countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
Airtel Africa provides an integrated offer to its subscribers, including mobile voice and data services, as well as mobile money services, both nationally and internationally.
Discover more from Premium Times Nigeria
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 is built around one question: How do you build an enduring company in the AI era? Our programming and speaker lineup reflect that, based on the feedback we’ve gotten from the community and the reality on the ground.
Last year at Disrupt, we spoke with founders about their experiences and discovered the results of their attendance firsthand. One founder saw a 3x oversubscription rate after their confirmation for Startup Battlefield and more than 100 investor inbounds helping fuel conversations about a future fundraising round. Another founder had nearly 30 back-to-back conversations with investors who flocked to them after a pitch onstage and followed them to their booth.
That’s not the exception at Disrupt — that’s the point. And those opportunities aren’t just available for Battlefield finalists. Every conversation in the Expo Hall or in a Side Event can create an opportunity for your startup. For years, whether it’s been held in New York, San Francisco, or elsewhere, Disrupt has brought together thousands of founders, investors, startup team members, and tech leaders.
We’re keeping that mission alive at SF’s Moscone West, this October 13-15 with a packed lineup of speakers, more than 200 expert sessions, a wealth of organized and serendipitous networking opportunities, and most of all, the chance to be in the same room as the person who could change your nascent idea for a company or your current startup’s trajectory.
This guide is for the founders out there who are just learning about Disrupt, who need a refresher, or are skeptical of whether it’s worth it. TechCrunch has been around for more than 20 years; we can take it. And before you dive in, we have two discounts that run up until Disrupt begins you should be know about. Founders can bring a team member along for 50% off their ticket by following this link, or you can help laid off members of your network find their next opportunity at Disrupt with our steep discount of Expo+ passes.
The reality of what makes Disrupt, Disrupt
If you’re asking Claude or ChatGPT if TechCrunch Disrupt is worth it, you’re not alone. The reality is that Disrupt is a unique event, and it’s happening at a unique time for the startup community.
This year’s Disrupt isn’t about predicting the future of AI; it’s about building companies in it. Across six editorially curated stages, founders will hear practical lessons from the CEOs, investors, engineers, and operators shaping the next decade of technology.
Whether you’re raising your first round, scaling your team, or deciding how AI changes your product, every session is designed to answer one question: “What can I take back to my company on Monday morning?”
The founders Disrupt empowers
Disrupt works a bit differently, depending on where you are in your founding journey, with different tracks you can follow to make the most of the three days:
Pre-seed and idea stages
You’re here to pressure-test your thesis, meet your first angel or pre-seed investors, and figure out who else is building in your space. Prioritize the Builders Stage, the Startup Battlefield semifinalist pitches, and the Expo Hall, along with roundtables tied to your industry and conversations you’ll want to learn more from.
Early revenue or actively raising
You’re here for capital and validation above all else, and your time is valuable. Prioritize our investor-matchmaking tools and the connections that come with your Founder Pass, including the networking tools in our app. You also get access to the Deal Flow Café, where we foster one-on-one conversations between founders and investors.
And when your schedule isn’t packed with dealmaking, learn from VC perspectives and fundraising-focused sessions at the Builders Stage.
Scaling, hiring, in search of partnerships
You’re here in search of talent, strategic partners, and market visibility. Those same networking tools and opportunities can help you meet potential hires and partners and deepen those connections or make new ones. Disrupt’s Side Events aren’t to be missed — there’s one for every industry, interest, or post-event vibe you could be looking to find.
Startup Battlefield: The most iconic pitch competition
The Startup Battlefield winner’s reveal packs the Disrupt stage and is each year’s capstone event. But it’s the lead-up to that $100,000 check and the deluge of attention the winner receives that’s the most valuable for founders attending Disrupt.
The 200 startups chosen on August 20 to compete go through a rigorous prep process and get the opportunity to pitch onstage in front of top-tier VCs and the Disrupt crowds. You’ll also get to watch those pitches, take notes, learn from the peaks and valleys, and potentially meet the teams behind the ideas and innovations. It could be in a follow-up meeting or just walking through the halls of Moscone.
And if that all leaves you inspired, here’s an insider tip: Most Battlefield participants, and several winners, have gone through the process multiple times. We’re no longer taking applications for 2026’s competition, but we’re expanding the program to more international markets, and the 2027 process will be similar to this year’s, so take note for the future!
The founder-focused programming
Disrupt 2026 spans several stages, each built around a different founder need:
- Disrupt Stage: The biggest conversations in technology, featuring the founders, CEOs, and industry leaders defining what’s next. These are the conversations you’ll be talking about long after Disrupt ends.
- Builders Stage: The tactical playbook for building a startup. From fundraising and hiring to GTM, product, and scaling, every session is designed to give founders practical advice they can put to work immediately.
- AI Stage: AI isn’t the future — it’s the present. Learn how the fastest-growing startups are building, deploying, and monetizing AI, with practical lessons on agents, models, infrastructure, and what it takes to win in the AI era.
- Real World AI Stage: AI is moving beyond the screen and into the physical world. Explore how robotics, autonomous systems, manufacturing, healthcare, and defense are turning AI breakthroughs into real-world products and businesses.
- Smart Money Stage: Follow the money. From fintech and stablecoins to payments, embedded finance, and AI-driven financial services, this stage explores how technology is reshaping the movement of capital.
- Smart Systems Stage: Every AI breakthrough depends on the infrastructure behind it. Discover the innovations in chips, compute, energy, networking, and data centers that will determine the next generation of technology companies.
Conversations you can only get at Disrupt
- RJ Scaringe (Rivian): Building a generational company.
- Panos Panay (Amazon): Designing products people love.
- Paolo Ardoino (Tether): Money, AI, and infrastructure.
- Toni Schneider and Rose Wang (Bluesky): Can social start over?
- Amjad Masad (Replit): Every founder becomes technical.
- Andrew Feldman (Cerebras): Winning the AI compute race.
And that’s just the beginning — we’ll have more speakers to announce as we get closer to Disrupt. Check out the full lineup of speakers across all stages and events here.
How to get the most bang for your buck at Disrupt
Disrupt’s prices increase as we get closer to the event, but we have a couple of promotions for Founders looking to save. You can save 50% on a second ticket by following the link here, and bring a coworker or co-founder along for the ride.
If there are colleagues in your network who have been impacted by layoffs who you’d like to have join up, we have an option for them as well, with a special $75 Expo+ Pass available at a limited volume for those impacted by cutbacks this year.
Your time at Disrupt is valuable, too, so before you head there, check on our regularly updated schedule of speakers and Side Events, get ahead of competitors’ schedules by booking your networking opportunities in advance, and get your own elevator pitches in order to make the most of those magical Disrupt moments that can come at any point October 13-15!
When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.
-
News18 hours agoPlateau Specialist Hospital Celebrates Nigeria at 66, Salutes Mutfwang’s Health Initiatives
-
News18 hours ago
Nigeria At 66: Rotjimwa Yilyok Salutes President Tinubu, APC Leadership and Plateau Government
-
News3 days agoTikTok Access Disrupted in Parts of Northern Nigeria as Users Turn to VPNs
-
Business3 days ago
Court orders NMDPRA to continue issuing fuel import licences to Matrix, AA Rano, AYM Shafa
