02 April 2025

The telecommunications industry is undergoing a significant transformation as network operators develop Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) offerings. By exposing their wired and wireless networks as programmable platforms, operators are enabling public cloud and private enterprise applications to leverage network intelligence, scale, and speed in unprecedented ways. A key driver of this transformation is the emergence of standardized network APIs, which offer developers and system integrators (SIs) new opportunities to enhance application performance and security.

Network APIs provide a programmable interface that allows applications to either retrieve information from the network or modify its behaviour to optimize performance. By monetizing these capabilities, operators can generate new revenue streams and justify continued investment in advanced network technologies.

Performance-Oriented APIs for Industry 4.0

One immediate and high-value application of network APIs is in financial services, particularly for anti-fraud measures. APIs such as location verification enable fintech applications to cross-check a user’s device location against transaction attempts. For example, if a user’s phone is detected in New York while a transaction is initiated in Tokyo, the API can trigger an alert or request additional verification, significantly enhancing security.

Three key APIs—”number verify,” “SIM swap,” and “KYC – Match and Fill”—help financial service providers ensure the legitimacy of mobile-based transactions. Analyst firm STL Partners estimates that the market for identity APIs will be worth $4.6 billion in 2024, growing to $14.6 billion by 2030.

“By adopting a holistic approach, the industry can unlock the full potential of network APIs and pave the way for a new era of intelligent, application-aware networking.”

Beyond financial services, performance-focused network specialization APIs are gaining traction in industries requiring ultra-low latency and high reliability, such as healthcare, autonomous vehicles, and advanced manufacturing. The Quality on Demand (QoD) API, for example, allows applications to dynamically request network resources to ensure seamless operation, even in congested environments.

By combining QoD with geofencing and network performance APIs, developers can create sophisticated applications—such as ensuring optimal connectivity for robotaxis operating in designated areas or enabling real-time remote control of industrial automation systems.

Standardization and Adoption of Network APIs

A major enabler of API adoption is the shift towards software-based, cloud-native 5G networks, which facilitate systematic exposure of network functions. Recognizing this opportunity, industry standards bodies such as GSMA, TM Forum, and CAMARA are working to standardize network APIs. The goal is to allow developers to create applications that function seamlessly across different network environments without needing to adapt to each operator’s unique infrastructure.

Standardization is crucial because developers need APIs that work in a generic and repeatable way to make their use cases economically viable. With increasing demand for network specialization in consumer and enterprise applications—such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and Industry 4.0—standardized APIs will play a crucial role in unlocking new market opportunities.

The network API market is expanding rapidly, driven by both immediate and long-term demand. In the short term, financial services applications are leading the way, with a strong focus on fraud prevention. In the longer term, more complex NaaS services will emerge, particularly in large-scale B2B applications such as logistics, autonomous vehicles, and industrial IoT.

The Evolution of the API Market in North Africa

Over the next five years, the API market in North Africa is expected to grow significantly as digital transformation accelerates across key industries. Governments and enterprises are investing in telecom infrastructure, with 5G deployment and fiber optic expansion laying the foundation for API-driven applications.

• Financial Services Expansion: The adoption of identity and anti-fraud APIs will increase as more North African fintech companies integrate digital payment solutions, requiring secure authentication and transaction verification. This trend is particularly relevant given the region’s unbanked population (reaching 57% in some countries) and the rise of mobile money solutions that have seen transaction volumes grow 30-40% annually since 2020.
• Smart Cities and Infrastructure: Governments in countries such as Egypt, Morocco, and Algeria are developing smart city initiatives, where APIs will play a critical role in managing urban infrastructure, traffic systems, and public safety solutions. Egypt’s New Administrative Capital and Morocco’s Casablanca Finance City are prime examples where network APIs can enable critical real-time data exchange between public infrastructure systems.
• Industrial Growth and IoT: With increasing investments in Industry 4.0, North African manufacturers will leverage network APIs for real-time monitoring, automation, and logistics optimization, particularly in sectors such as automotive, textiles, and energy.
• Cross-Border Connectivity: Given North Africa’s strategic location as a trade hub, logistics companies will increasingly rely on network APIs for tracking goods, optimizing routes, and ensuring seamless operations across borders.
• Resource Management Optimization: North Africa’s ongoing water scarcity challenges (with per capita availability declining by 60% since 1960) create opportunities for API marketplace to support smart agriculture and utility management through specialized network slicing capabilities.

As telecom operators and technology firms collaborate to standardize and promote network APIs, North Africa is poised to become a leading adopter of API-driven innovations, unlocking new business opportunities across various sectors.

Nokia’s Role in Advancing Network APIs

Nokia has been at the forefront of developing network APIs and pioneering the concept of Network as Code. Through its API-driven approach, Nokia aims to make networks more accessible to developers and enterprises by enabling programmable network capabilities.

• Nokia’s Network as Code Platform: This initiative focuses on simplifying access to advanced 5G capabilities, allowing developers to integrate real-time network functions into their applications with minimal complexity.
• API Standardization and Open Ecosystems: Nokia actively contributes to industry standardization efforts with organizations like GSMA and CAMARA, ensuring that APIs are interoperable across different telecom environments.
• Enterprise-Focused Solutions: Nokia is working with industries such as manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare to deploy customized network API solutions that enhance automation, security, and operational efficiency.

By integrating Network as Code with its advanced 5G solutions, Nokia is helping drive the adoption of NaaS and network APIs, empowering developers and businesses to create next-generation applications that leverage the full potential of modern networks.

Overcoming Challenges: A Holistic Approach

Despite advancements in 5G and cloud-native networking, many legacy technologies still exist within telecom infrastructure. This presents challenges both for network operators and developers. While operators must ensure their APIs integrate seamlessly with existing systems, developers need guidance on implementing telco-specific APIs effectively.

API aggregators and developer education initiatives are helping bridge this gap, making it easier for enterprises and software developers to incorporate network APIs into their applications. However, the success of this ecosystem requires collaboration between telecom operators, technology vendors, and developers.

As 2025 unfolds, the telecom industry will continue evolving towards a distributed platform model, with NaaS and API-driven services at the forefront. The shift from monolithic network services to modular, programmable functions will create new possibilities for application developers, driving innovation across industries.

To realize this vision, a coordinated effort among all ecosystem players—network operators, standards bodies, developers, and enterprises—is essential. By adopting a holistic approach, the industry can unlock the full potential of network APIs and pave the way for a new era of intelligent, application-aware networking.