African telcos urged to prioritise SIM registration for national security

The Head of Product Development and Operations at Itemate Solutions, Tracey van Heerden, has emphasised the critical importance of prioritising SIM registration among African telcos to enhance national security.

Recent regulatory changes and evolving consumer habits pose significant challenges for telcos across Africa, van Heerden explained in a statement.

In Nigeria, millions of subscribers recently experienced service disruptions due to non-compliance issues, while Cameroon grapples with delays in ID card issuance, complicating SIM registration processes.

“In Cameroon, delays in ID card issuance have created challenges for telcos in registering SIM cards as users await government-issued IDs.”

She highlighted the potential risks telcos face, including fines and sanctions for non-compliance with regulations.

However, van Heerden pointed out that technologies such as eSIMs and SIM registration apps offer solutions to streamline the registration process and enhance Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures.

“SIM registration is pivotal for national security and fostering the adoption of new services,” van Heerden emphasized.

“Telcos must prioritize SIM registration to bolster national security, expand service offerings, and grow their customer base.”

The regulatory environment in Africa remains complex, with instances such as Tanzania imposing fines on mobile operators in 2016 for irregularities in SIM card activations and Gambia levying fines in 2019 for non-compliance with SIM card registration rules.

Acknowledging the industry’s challenges, van Heerden noted recent calls by MTN Group’s Ralph Mupita for harmonizing regulatory frameworks, particularly in the technology sector.

She stressed that while telcos navigate regulatory pressures, they are also striving to expand their customer base and diversify into non-traditional services like financial products and insurance.

“Mobile phones are essential communication tools for Africa’s 1.3 billion citizens, underscoring the need for governments to identify mobile numbers accurately for security and investigative purposes,” van Heerden added.

She emphasized that enhancing KYC practices enables telcos to better understand their customers, driving personalized service delivery and revenue growth.

To address these challenges and meet strategic objectives, telcos are exploring innovative approaches to simplify SIM registration processes, van Heerden stated.

She noted advanced solutions such as eSIM technology and mobile registration apps aim to streamline registrations, particularly benefiting rural populations where access to physical registration centres may be limited.

Collaboration with experienced service providers like Itemate Solutions is crucial for telcos to navigate regulatory complexities and ensure seamless access to telecommunications services across diverse African markets.