Industry leader in card manufacturing, personalization/fulfilment and digital solutions – SecureID Limited in conjunction with MTN Nigeria, has launched the first eco-friendly telecoms Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card in the Nigerian market.
Designed and produced by Secure ID for MTN Nigeria, the innovative, bio-degradable SIM Card set to replace plastic SIM product, combines cutting-edge technology with sustainability, reducing environmental impact without compromising quality or performance. According to SecureID General Manager, Mr. Oluwole Dada, while commending MTN Nigeria for the partnership noted that there had been significant contribution to plastic wastes from telecommunications companies every year, adding that the introduction of paper-based bio-degradable SIM cards by MTN will help reduce plastic wastes and pollution in Nigeria. “About six billion plastic SIM cards are produced globally, resulting to huge environmental pollution from unused plastic SIM cards. Recent statistics shows that Nigeria alone will by the end of 2025, have over 200 million subscribers that will be using plastic SIM cards, a development that will add to the existing plastic waste in the environment,” Dada said. Thus the move by MTN Nigeria to introduce eco-friendly paper-based SIM cards, will help address rising cases of plastic pollution and the effect of climate change as plastic SIMs do not decompose and therefore increase plastic wastes that emit high level of carbon at a time when Nigeria and the rest of the world are battling to achieve net zero carbon emissions to cushion the effect of climate change.
Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer (CCSSO) at MTN Nigeria, Tobe Okigbo said MTN would begin phase replacement of its existing plastic SIM cards, but would commence the immediate rollout of the new bio-degradable SIM cards for all SIM replacement, upgrade and swap, to support sustainability of the environment. To Okigbo: “Our new eco-friendly SIM cards represent part of our continuous commitment to environmental responsibility, as well as our dedication to reducing waste, supporting local Nigerian vendors and integrating sustainability into business operations as well as the daily lives of the people”. Agreeing with Okigbo, MTN Nigeria General Manager, Sustainability and Shared Value – Kemi Adisa noted that MTN would continue to integrate its corporate policy to further drive Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) sustainability goals in all its operations, in order to sustain the Nigerian environment.
Giving reasons why MTN is investing in eco-friendly SIM cards, Adisa explained that through the initiative, MTN Nigeria is contributing to lowering carbon emissions, reduce plastic wastes that causes environmental pollution, support the circular economy through product recycling; “Eco-friendly SIM cards offer a sustainable solution for better future both for MTN subscribers and the entire Nigerian populace. Nigerians must see the need to switch to bio-degradable SIM cards that are now available in all MTN customer experience centres,” Adisa expressed.
In a related development, SecureID has been recognized as The Best Digital Identity Solution Provider for the Public Sector. In a nationwide voting process conducted by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), SecureID was awarded the prestigious GovTech Public Service Awards 2024 for The Best Digital Identity Solution Provider for the Public Sector.
This accolade recognizes SecureID’s exceptional contributions to Federal Government’s digital transformation agenda through the provision of innovative identity management services. The company’s solutions have been instrumental in driving the adoption of secure, accessible, and inclusive digital identities across different sectors.
