Business
Sanctions On MTN, Globacom Still Stand – NCC
The Nigerian Commu
nications Commission (NCC) is yet to lift regulatory sanctions imposed on MTN and Globacom, two of the biggest players in the telecoms market.
The two players were alleged to have used their market dominance to compete unfairly in Nigeria’s telecommunications market.
Both telecoms operators are however concerned about the deficiencies in herent in the determination process.
Executive chairman of NCC, Eugene Juwah had in a determination dated April 25, 2013 held that both companies South Africa’s MTN and Globacom, a second national carriers, are dominant mobile operators in critical segments of the nation telecoms market.
A top official of the commission at the weekend, who pleaded anonymity told The Tide source that the regulatory agency’s position is that the determinations still stand.
He said the determinations were yet to be reviewed after the 2013 study to assess actions by some operators that could reduce fair competition in the telecoms industry.
Giving insight into the rationale behind determining a telecoms operator in the country as a dominant player, NCC said the commission presumes that any licensee whose gross revenues in a specific communications market exceeds 40 per cent of total gross revenues of all licensees in that market is in a dominant position in that market.
Also a senior executive of MTN who spoke to The Tide source on condition of anonymity said NCC was allowed to make a presumption of dominance were a licensee controls 40 per cent of gross revenues, not market share in the specific market.
He explained that it was mandatory for NCC to conduct a study to determine if the dominant player was abusing its significant market power to stultify competition.
“Payment of tuition fees for undergraduate/postgraduate studies shall be subject to a maximum limit of $25,000.00 per semester,” the Manual states.
The expansion of international card limits also reflects growing confidence among lenders that foreign exchange liquidity has improved enough to support retail dollar transactions.
Speaking recently at the BusinessDay 14th Annual CEO Forum in Lagos, CBN Olayemi Cardoso, governor of the CBN said buying and selling activities now increasingly determine outcomes in the foreign exchange market, unlike in the past when market participants relied heavily on routine Central Bank interventions.
According to Cardoso, Nigeria’s net foreign exchange reserves have risen from just over $3 billion at the start of the reform programme to more than $40 billion, while gross reserves have climbed to about $52 billion, providing stronger confidence for investors and enabling the Central Bank to reserve interventions for periods of market stress rather than day-to-day liquidity management.
The restoration and expansion of international naira card spending limits are increasingly being seen as one of the clearest signs that the benefits of the CBN’s foreign exchange reforms are beginning to reach households, students and businesses making legitimate cross-border payments.
The Secretary-General and Chief Executive Officer, WEC, Dr Angela Wilkinson, disclosed this in a statement, last Thursday.
“Nigeria’s participation comes at a pivotal time as the country seeks to expand energy access, strengthen energy security, accelerate gas development and mobilise the capital required for industrialisation and sustainable economic growth.
“WEC Nigeria will convene leaders from across the energy ecosystem, apply the WEC’s globally recognised Energy Trilemma framework to Nigeria’s unique context, and promote evidence-based dialogue, practical collaboration and informed policymaking.
“It will also ensure that Nigerian and broader African perspectives contribute meaningfully to global energy conversations,” she said.
Wilkinson expressed confidence that Nigeria would play a significant leadership role at the World Energy Congress scheduled for Riyadh in April 2027 and beyond.
The statement also quoted the Chairman of WEC Nigeria, Isa, as describing the country’s participation as an opportunity to deepen national and African leadership within the global energy community through practical solutions tailored to regional development priorities.
He said the platform would promote collaboration across sectors and attract sustainable investments into Nigeria’s energy sector.
The Chief Executive Officer of WEC Nigeria, Wunti, was quoted in the statement as saying that the council would connect leadership, evidence and investment to build a secure, affordable and sustainable energy system.
“This system will be capable of driving economic growth and shared prosperity.”
According to him, the platform will also connect Nigerian institutions and businesses with international knowledge, technology, partnerships and investment opportunities through the World Energy Council’s global network.
Recall that WEC, founded in 1923, is the world’s oldest independent and impartial community of energy leaders and practitioners, advancing informed, collaborative and practical action across the global energy system.