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REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

REGULATORY NEWS

ITU Report Details US$2.6-2.8 Trillion Cost to Connect Everyone Meaningfully
by 2030

Achieving universal, meaningful Internet connectivity by 2030
could require an investment of USD 2.6 trillion to USD 2.8 trillion
at current prices, according to the Connecting Humanity Action
Blueprint released by the International Telecommunication Union
(ITU) – the UN agency for digital technologies – and the Communi-
cations, Space & Technology Commission (CST) of the Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia. The report outlines the challenges, projected costs,
and collaborative strategies needed to make sure everyone, every-
where, can use the Internet, including the estimated one-third of
humanity currently offline. The largest investment component —
USD 1.5 trillion to USD 1.7 trillion — is required for hard infrastruc-
ture, alongside substantial funding for human and institutional ca-
pacity, mainly in developing countries. “Digital connectivity means
creating opportunities for education, jobs, and access to essential
services that can transform lives and communities," said ITU Sec-
retary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin. "While significant resources
are needed to meaningfully connect everyone, these are invest-
ments that will contribute to a prosperous digital future for all." ITU
estimates that 2.6 billion people are still excluded from the digital
world, with connectivity closely linked to levels of socio-economic
development. In 2024, an estimated 93 per cent of the population
in high-income countries was using the Internet, compared to just
27 per cent in low-income countries. The new report on achiev-
ing universal meaningful connectivity builds on ITU's original 2020
Connecting Humanity study, published under the direction of the
G20 during the presidency of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, by iden- ITU during the Saudi chairmanship of the G20," said H.E. Eng. Hay-
tifying critical gaps with the anticipated costs for addressing them. tham AlOhali, Acting Governor of CST. "Such a dramatic increase
“The world needs between USD 2.6 trillion and USD 2.8 trillion to underscores the urgency for international cooperation, collective
connect humanity by 2030. This figure is nearly five times higher investment, and the sharing of expertise if we are to achieve the
than the last assessment conducted in 2020 in partnership with vision of universal, meaningful connectivity for all."

NCC To Launch Public Evaluation Map for Telecom Operators

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) said plans are advocated for corporate governance in the telecom sector which
underway to launch public evaluation map that will help network will bring about transparency and security. The NCC’s evolving
subscribers ascertain the quality of services being provided by regulatory approach leans heavily on transparency and the power of
telecom operators. Speaking at an interactive session with the information disclosure. Maida revealed that recent data releases —
media in Abuja, the Executive Vice Chairman of the commission, including rebased telecom subscriber numbers and infrastructure
Aminu Maida said the initiative is aimed at strengthening digital incident reports — were part of a deliberate strategy to drive
services nationwide. He explained that the move is in line with change. “We saw that just by putting out the truth, it triggered over
the presidential order that designated telecommunications a billion dollars in new investments this year,” he said. “That’s more
infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII). than the previous two years combined.” Maida stressed that more
Maida said the evaluation would pave way for improved service capital injection is critical to the sector’s future. “What we actually
delivery and enforcing compliance among telecom operators. need to take us to the next level is a fresh injection of capital into
According to him, with over 171million mobile subscribers and a this industry,” he said, adding that good governance and trust are
teledensity of 79.22% as of last June 2025, there was the need for key to unlocking such investments.
continued service improvement by the operators. In addition, he

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