The planned device registration system by the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, may trigger a fresh increase in the cost of mobile phones in Nigeria as importers and dealers adjust to additional compliance requirements. The initiative, which is designed to establish a central database of mobile devices using their International Mobile Equipment Identity, IMEI, numbers, is expected to strengthen the identification and monitoring of phones connected to Nigerian telecommunications networks.
Under the proposed system, device registration is expected to attract charges of about ₦670 for standard devices, while registration involving some high end phones could cost more than ₦3,700, depending on the number of IMEIs involved. Although the charges would initially apply to the registration process, there are concerns within the market that additional costs incurred by importers and distributors could eventually be reflected in retail prices paid by consumers.
The development could also affect Nigeria’s large market for used and refurbished smartphones, which provides cheaper alternatives for millions of consumers. Dealers and importers may have to ensure that devices brought into the country or traded within the market comply with the new requirements, potentially increasing operating costs and creating additional pressure on smaller businesses that depend on the sale and repair of mobile devices.
The NCC has been pursuing measures aimed at improving device security, identifying stolen or cloned phones and strengthening oversight of mobile devices operating on Nigerian networks. While the proposed registry could improve accountability within the telecommunications sector, its implementation is likely to generate closer scrutiny from consumers, phone dealers and other industry stakeholders concerned about affordability, the treatment of legitimate second hand devices and the broader impact on access to smartphones.