Nigeria’s planned central registry for mobile devices is raising concerns about possible increases in smartphone prices as the Nigerian Communications Commission moves closer to implementing its Device Management System.
The system will establish a central database of International Mobile Equipment Identity numbers, or IMEIs, associated with SIM-enabled devices operating in Nigeria.
Its central objective is to make it easier to identify stolen, cloned, counterfeit and non-approved devices and prevent problematic devices from accessing telecommunications networks.
Registration Charges Raise Concerns
According to Techpoint Africa, new devices could attract registration charges of about ₦670 per IMEI for standard devices, rising to more than ₦3,700 for some high-end devices.
While those charges would initially affect businesses bringing devices into the market, the concern is that some or all of the additional cost could ultimately be passed to consumers.
That is particularly significant in Nigeria, where affordability remains a major consideration in smartphone adoption.
Millions of consumers depend on lower-cost imported, refurbished and second-hand devices to access digital banking, social media, online education, entertainment and other internet services.
October 6 Deadline
The NCC began onboarding devices already held in business inventories earlier in September.
An initial September 7 deadline was subsequently extended to October 6 following concerns from industry stakeholders over the implementation timeline.
The system builds on regulatory work dating back several years, including the NCC’s Type Approval Business Rules and framework for a Central Equipment Identity Register.
A legitimate second-hand device would not automatically become prohibited under such a system.
However, concerns have been raised about phones whose IMEI information may have changed following legitimate repairs, including motherboard replacements.
Industry stakeholders are therefore seeking clear procedures for challenging incorrect classifications.
Security Versus Affordability
The policy creates a difficult balance for regulators.
Nigeria has legitimate reasons to tackle stolen, cloned and counterfeit devices.
A reliable IMEI database could make it more difficult for stolen devices to remain useful and could improve oversight of phones entering the country’s telecommunications ecosystem.
But imposing additional compliance expenses could also increase the cost of legitimate devices or create difficulties for smaller importers.
The commercial impact will become clearer as implementation progresses towards the October deadline.
For consumers, the central question is whether Nigeria can improve device security and traceability without significantly increasing the cost of connecting to the country’s digital economy.
