NBC DG Advocates for Digital Broadcasting as Economic Catalyst in UK Summit
In a compelling keynote address at the Leaders Without Borders Development Centre Investors Business Roundtable Summit in the United Kingdom, Dr. Charles Ebuebu, the Director General of Nigeria's National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), emphasized that Africa must shift its perspective on digital broadcasting. He argued that it should no longer be viewed merely as a regulatory obligation but as a critical strategic economic infrastructure essential for fostering inclusive trade and attracting cross-border investment.
Beyond Connectivity: The Broader Economic Impact
Dr. Ebuebu highlighted that while connectivity is fundamental, it alone is insufficient for sustainable economic growth. Citing data from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), he noted that only 38 percent of Africa's population used the internet in 2024, starkly lower than the global average of 68 percent. He positioned broadcasting at the vital intersection of media, telecommunications, advertising, data, and platform economies, underscoring its transformative potential.
"Digital broadcasting is no longer just about transmission towers, signal carriage, or the migration from analogue to digital platforms," Ebuebu stated. "It influences what businesses can sell, who can see their products, how quickly information travels, how market confidence is built, and how cross-border investment is attracted. It is a powerful engine for market discovery and economic development."
Policy Fragmentation and Economic Potential
As a fellow of the International Alliance of Business Professionals, Ebuebu referenced World Bank research indicating that intensive deployment of digital technologies can significantly enhance productivity and exports. However, he warned that fragmented national policies across Africa are undermining the continent's full potential. Using Nigeria as a prime example, he pointed out that the telecommunications sector contributed 14.40% to the country's GDP in the fourth quarter of 2024, while the creative industry, particularly film and entertainment, remains a major driver of employment and economic activity.
Five Urgent Policy Actions for Africa
To fully unlock the economic value of digital broadcasting, Dr. Ebuebu called for five critical policy measures:
- Expand digital infrastructure continent-wide to bridge connectivity gaps.
- Develop adaptive regulation suited to a converged broadband-broadcasting environment.
- Establish credible and transparent investment rules to attract long-term capital.
- Treat skills development as critical infrastructure, building human capacity for the digital economy.
- Fully operationalize the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) for media and creative products to boost intra-African trade.
In a statement issued by Clementine Usman-Wamba, Head of the Digital Switchover (DSO) Office and Deputy Director of Public Affairs, Ebuebu was quoted as saying: "If governments and regulators continue to see broadcasting as a static compliance sector, they will miss its broader economic role. But if they regard it as a platform for innovation and convergence, then broadcasting becomes an integral part of the productive framework of the economy."
Nigeria's Digital Milestone and Future Plans
Ebuebu's visit to the UK aligns with Nigeria's significant achievement in leapfrogging the transition from analogue to digital broadcasting, in compliance with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) treaty. A formal national launch of the DSO Digital-to-Home (DTH) and the freeTV Mobile App Platform is scheduled for May 2026, marking a pivotal step in the country's digital evolution.
