Former Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof Umar Dambatta, Director-General, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Dr Jobson Ewalefoh, Group CEO, Wakanow, Bayo Adedeji and other stakeholders yesterday hailed the launch of EmoSIM in the country, saying it will safe travelers the headache of procuring the Subscriber Identity Modules (SIMs) of their host countries and safe foreign exchange (forex) hemorrhage and promote global connectivity.
They spoke during the formal unveiling of EmoSIM, Nigeria’s first outbound travel innovative eSIM designed to transform how Nigerians and other travellers experience global connectivity; seamlessly blending technology, convenience and national pride.
Prof Danbatta, under whose watch the Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) licences were issued, said one of the goals for which the licences were issued is being realized with the launch of EmoSIM, the only MVNO licencee to roll out services in the country.
He said: “We are gathered here to discuss a significant milestone—the growth and promise of MVNOs in Nigeria. When I was still serving as the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, one of our primary goals was to optimize the usage of spectrum in the country. We observed that while spectrum was a finite and critical resource, it was not being used optimally. That realization drove us to explore avenues for more efficient utilization—one of which was enabling MVNOs to operate by leveraging the existing spectrum of mobile network operators.
“The idea was simple but powerful: rather than allow spectrum to sit underutilized, let’s open it up to more players—especially innovative ones—who can provide niche, affordable services to underserved markets. This led to the establishment of a dedicated committee within the NCC to examine the feasibility and structure of MVNO licensing in Nigeria.
After rigorous review and assessment, the committee submitted its recommendations to the Commission’s Governing Board—recommendations that I personally presented and supported.
“Among the entities evaluated, EmoSIM stood out. It met all the eligibility requirements and demonstrated the potential to deliver meaningful impact. That’s why I’m particularly pleased to see EMOSIM today, not only as a licensee but as a company that has translated that regulatory vision into tangible service delivery. You are truly helping to solve a real problem—providing affordable, reliable telecommunications services to people who have historically been left behind.
Your work aligns perfectly with the broader strategic goals of the NCC and the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy. It also supports the goals of the Ministry of Trade, as digital connectivity increasingly plays a critical role in commerce and economic inclusion.
“I want to commend EMOSIM for embodying the three foundational pillars of Universal Access in telecommunications: Availability – Ensuring services are present where people live and work.
“Accessibility – Making services easy to use, even for those with limited resources or technical knowledge; Affordability – Pricing services in a way that even low-income users can benefit. These principles form the very essence of digital inclusion and national development.”
According to Prof Dambatta, EmoSIM’s solution stands out for travellers and mobile users alike. It provides seamless, borderless connectivity without the hassle of changing SIM cards or purchasing additional infrastructure. This is a remarkable achievement and a testament to the ingenuity and forward-thinking that we need in Nigeria’s ICT ecosystem.
“In conclusion, I applaud EMOSIM again—for your innovation, your alignment with national digital goals, and for proving that regulatory foresight, when met with entrepreneurial vision, can lead to transformative results for society,” he said.
Also speaking, Dr. Ewalefoh, said the launch of the solution aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Nigeria First policy. He said the partnership of EmoSIM with Tata is a testament that global trust in returning to the country.
“But I must say, first of all, the importance and the emphasis on the data will always strike in this innovation that is in this country today.
“I just want to make this a bit of an action. So, for me, I think it’s time that we put in place a commitment in what we do, to put on this account book, to grow this account book from resources, from ideas, from intellect, from my research, and I think that’s what’s the most important challenge. So, we are calling for you to create a new environment for business to thrive, to remove the barriers for business to grow, to create new conditions that allow you to be self-sufficient, which has nothing to do with dividing the willies of others, and for them to be able to succeed in what they do,” he said.
Adedeji said e-SIM is not new in the country as it has existed before now, adding however that instead of procuring it in dollars, it will now be bought with local currency to make the economy more resilient.
“Companies like ours, we buy the e-SIM from another company outside Nigeria. We bleed foreign exchange to that country. We buy it and then we resell it to travelers living in Nigeria.
“It means that when we talk about foreign exchange and the dollar going up and down, this is one of the ways where we bleed US Dollar. The Nigerian customer pays me Naira. I pay the company that I buy the e-SIM from in US dollar and now we bleed that US dollar; out from profit to cost. Now with having a local organization, having that solution, it’s about 1.5 billion customers at Wakanow.com. It means that I can give that product to 1.5 billion customers and reduce the foreign exchange bleed out that happens in Nigeria.
“This is a product I can take to 28 other countries that we are in. And the spread of having two Nigerian brands collaborate to take a Nigerian product outside of Nigeria makes it even more powerful. Because you can bring in foreign exchange and bring it back in. And for me, it’s, when we talk about innovation, I know that everybody wants to kind of do something new. For me, it’s about how do we do something that already exists but we don’t have and bring it home. And this is exactly what I’ve seen today.
“And on the flip side of that, people talk about, you know, we go, we travel, we go to shores. The complexity, I think, you talked to me really well of going to an Arabian country and having to read what they are telling you in Arabic is tough for those of us that know nothing about the language. You know, and you get confused.
“Step forward into African connectivity. We continue to talk about African connectivity and the travel within Africa, without talking about the things that impact it. When I get there, when I get to Guinea-Bissau, when I get to Congo, if EMOSIM can solve that problem for us, then they’ve opened the gateway to true African trade, to true African interconnectivity, to actually open our world up to do more. And I’m excited, I’m excited to come with them. I’m more excited about the money we’re going to make together than I’m going to make up. I’m more excited about the future,” Adebayo said.
Welcoming the guest, Chairman/Founder, EmoSIM, Jimmy Eboma, said the event marked a pivotal moment, not just for Emosim, but for every Nigerian traveler, entrepreneur, and dreamer who has ever felt the weight of the world’s digital divides.
“I stand before you not only as the Chairman of EmoSIM but as a witness to Africa’s unstoppable rise; a continent where challenges ignite innovation, and where solutions born here redefine possibilities for the globe.
“Let me paint a picture many of you know too well. Imagine stepping off a plane in Dubai, London, or New York, thinking your phone will be buzzing with calls from loved ones, emails from clients, and instant access to maps to guide you. But instead of connection, you face silence, roaming charges that drain your wallet, SIM cards that demand hours in foreign queues, and fragmented networks that leave you stranded. For too long, this has been our reality. But today, that story changes.
“EmoSIM is not just a product. It is a revolution built on a simple truth: connectivity is not a luxury; it is a lifeline. With one tap, Nigerians and beyond now activate instant access to the world. No swaps. No shocks. No borders. Our Emosim connects you seamlessly across 190 countries with 600 connectivity, turning complexity into simplicity, and frustration into freedom. This is not magic but Nigerian ingenuity, engineered for reliability, designed for you.
“But Emosim’s mission runs deeper. We are here to empower an entire ecosystem: Travelers who choose staying connected and staying within budget; businesses expanding across continents, demanding frictionless communication. Families bridging distances with calls, messages, and data via shared moments; a nation asserting its place as a digital leader in a globalized world.
“This is Africa’s time. While others see barriers, we see blueprints. While others talk of limitations, we build solutions. From Lagos to Johannesburg, African innovators are rewriting the rules of fintech, renewable energy, and now, telecommunications. Emosim stands proudly in this legacy, a Nigerian solution to a global challenge. None of this would be possible without the visionaries who shared our dream. To Tata Communications, our technical partners, your global expertise fused seamlessly with my insight to create something extraordinary. Let this launch be our declaration: Africa does not follow trends. We set them; Nigeria does not wait for the future. We build it. And with Emosim, we are connecting ambition to opportunity, potential to progress, and Nigeria to the world.
“Together, let’s ensure no Nigerian is left offline, no dreamer left unheard, and no border limits our reach. The future is seamless. The future is borderless. The future is here,” Eboma said.
Presiding chairman, NIMN, Tony Agenmonmen said each time he travels, he tries to look what the problems are. “When you leave this country, the first thing you want to do is tell your loved ones that you are safe here. A few times, I forgot to activate Ruby on my phone, and then you can’t do anything until you come down. You have to get a stamp. Any time you are in the right country, like the English-speaking country, it’s a little bit easier to get a stamp and put it in your phone.
“When you go to some other countries, the instructions you give them in that way, they don’t understand and it can be a big challenge. So, I think Ibn Hussein has come up with a solution that comes as a common problem that confronts every traveler. And I think we also talked about it.
“I think traveling to five countries, you probably have to be changing stamp after stamp after stamp. And the fact that this is coming from a Nigerian company, by Nigerians, of course, with the support of Tata, I think it brings a kind of confidence that good things can come from Nigeria. And indeed, good things can come from our country,” Agenmonmen said.
Prof Dabatta said the NCC, under the guidance of the Federal Government, has played a transformative role in the evolution of Nigeria’s telecom sector. The liberalization of the industry, initiated in 2003 and consolidated by 2004, marked a turning point in our nation’s technological and economic development.
Before this liberalization, Nigeria had only one dominant operator—NITEL. At its peak, the country had just about half a million telephone lines. Today, we boast over 200 million active mobile subscribers. That’s a staggering leap, and it represents a true revolution led by a visionary regulatory institution acting in alignment with federal policy direction.
“While it is important to acknowledge the tremendous strides made by the NCC, we must also recognize the critical role played by the Federal Government in creating the enabling environment. The enactment of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003/2004 laid a strong legal foundation for the sector. Many of you may not have had the chance to study this document in detail, but I assure you, it remains a pragmatic and enduring piece of legislation—crafted through the collective wisdom of telecommunications experts in Nigeria.
“A defining feature of the NCA 2004 is its deliberate provision for innovation. It didn’t just envision the regulation of legacy services like voice and basic data—it foresaw a dynamic, evolving landscape where services could expand and adapt with time. This foresight enabled the emergence of MVNOs and spurred significant growth in telecom infrastructure across the country.
“Telcos themselves will tell you how this policy shift has encouraged investment, driven data subscription growth, and expanded the monetizable digital ecosystem. These gains are all the more remarkable because they stem from a clear, consistent policy framework supported by the government and executed with professionalism by the NCC,” he said.
He recalled that during his tenure, the Commission successfully conducted a five-day spectrum auction, widely recognized as one of the most transparent and competitive in the world.
“I had the privilege of presenting our experience at the 2010 Mobile World Congress, where many African countries, including those from our sub-region, came to ask: How did Nigeria do it?
“The answer lies in the regulatory independence and operational flexibility granted by the Federal Government to the NCC. That autonomy enabled the Commission to respond dynamically to industry needs and create an environment for consistent sectoral growth.
“Today, we are witnessing further expansion. The licensing of MVNOs is another bold step in deepening market penetration and enhancing service delivery. However, these licenses are not just symbolic. They come with a roll-out obligation—a performance condition that ensures licensees deliver on their promises. While the MVNO license is valid for 10 years, operators must demonstrate progress within specified timelines or risk revocation.
“I’m pleased to note that these obligations are already being taken seriously. The 2022 MVNO licensees are now expected, by 2025, to show clear evidence of compliance with the regulatory benchmarks. This speaks to the Commission’s commitment to not just issuing licenses, but ensuring their impact is felt on the ground.
“In summary, the Nigerian government has shown consistent commitment by empowering its chief regulatory agency, the NCC, to innovate and license entities that can offer efficient, affordable, and inclusive telecommunications services. I am confident that, as long as this synergy between government policy and regulatory execution continues, Nigeria will remain a leader in Africa’s digital transformation,” he said.
