The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has unveiled a new licensing framework for Application-to-Person (A2P) messaging services to curb spam and protect telecom revenue. Businesses, operators, and aggregators that deliver bulk automated messages — like bank alerts, promotional SMS, and political messages — must now secure a five-year licence costing N10 million.
The framework mandates that all international A2P messages pass through NCC-approved channels to ensure compliance and improve quality of service. The NCC noted that the widespread misuse of SMS for spam and fraud poses serious risks to users and leads to revenue leakages due to untracked international traffic.
By tightening oversight, the Commission aims to protect consumers from unsolicited messages and guarantee local telecom operators receive fair revenue from international traffic. A2P providers must also meet data protection standards, share regular reports, and avoid using grey routes. The framework forms part of Nigeria’s broader push for digital sovereignty and stronger cybersecurity.
