Telcos urged to overcome RoW bottlenecks, multiple taxation

The telecom industry in Nigeria has been urged to address critical barriers that hinder its growth, including right-of-way bottlenecks and multiple taxation, which have continued to slow down infrastructure development and digital transformation.

This message was delivered by the President of the Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria, Tony Izuagbe Emoekpere, during the body’s recent 31st anniversary celebrations in Lagos.

Emoekpere noted that the Nigerian telecom sector is at a pivotal juncture, with emerging technologies like 5G, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things reshaping global communication.

He said, “Our goals are clear: we must advocate policies that foster innovation and investment, drive infrastructure development to bridge connectivity gaps, and collaborate across public and private sectors to position Nigeria as a leading digital economy in Africa.”

Telcos face a heavy tax burden, paying over N2tn in taxes in 2023 alone, which includes around 50 different taxes imposed by federal, state, and local governments.

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