Telcos Stakeholders Mull for Collaborations to Drive Nigeria’s Digital Economy

Stakeholders in the telecommunications industry have said “to drive digital economy in Nigeria, there is need for collaborations among industry players”.

This was unanimously agreed upon during a Virtual Conversation organized by the Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), on Thursday, under the theme: ‘Socio-Economic and Political Impact of COVID19 on Telecom and ICT sector in Nigeria’.

Collaborations, according to them, will help to tackle the challenges posed by the industry for the benefit of both the players and consumers.

They also advocated for the need for collaboration between the private and the public sector to leverage ICT and boost the economy.

In his welcome address, ATCON’s President, Mr Olusola Teniola emphasized that the meeting was designed to come up with lasting solutions to issues that are militating against the growth of the telecommunications industry in Nigeria post COVID-19.

He said objectives of the virtual meeting include but not limited to ensuring effective regulation and development and building of local capacities for the speedy spread of telecom and ICT infrastructure facilities across the country.

Teniola also stated other objectives of the meeting to include pushing for the buy-in of governments at all levels to encourage telecom and ICT infrastructure development in their respective states by encouraging rapid investment through incentives such as tax holiday and provision of special intervention funds for the sector by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Teniola, however, commended the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, and the Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta for their proactive support.

I also commend the efforts of our member company CEOs who have been making the right decisions to put us on this growth path and ensuring our networks withstood the pressures of the stay-at-home COVID-19 directive over the last 3 months.” the association’s President said.

Also speaking, the Managing Director, eStream Networks, Muyiwa Ogungboye said for the industry to achieve the intended mileage, there have to be collaborations in terms of investment opportunities.

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Ogungboye who also doubles as ATCON’s Vice President II stressed that although telecoms industry is large and the government has come to appreciate the sector; players are a little fragmented.

He noted when players form a consortium, it opens the door for greater opportunities than operating alone.

On her part, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NigComSat, Ms. Abimbola Alale called on stakeholders to work together to ensure that rural Nigeria has access to broadband internet stated that connectivity is needed to get essential services to the rural people.

The NigComSat CEO noted that the industry needs to provide connectivity support for military operations across the country stressing that despite the lockdown military operations were going on.

The Country Manager (Nigeria) and Regional Sales Director West Africa, Avanti Communications, Jane Egerton-Idehen said that with the recent moves by the Government towards the protection of telecommunication infrastructure and the harmonization of Right of Way charges, industry players must collaboratively strategize to leverage these opportunities to deploy infrastructure and increase the sectoral contribution to the country’s GDP.

In her words, “Collaboration is a great thing. We should not stop talking about this. The force of this sector is so important we can do more to increase our contributions to the GDP. The only way we can do that is by collaborating; so much is happening, but we need to work together to improve on our digital economy”

Also speaking, ipNX Divisional Chief Executive Officer, Olusegun Okuneye stated that the importance of collaborations in this industry cannot be overemphasized.

“With collaboration in terms of telecommunications partnerships or investments, we can easily have a joint co-deployment of infrastructures.

“This will impact the price or cost and profit to the end-users as well.”

Medallion Communications Chief Executive Officier, Nkechukwu Nnamani who also doubles as the association Vice President 1 called on the Federal Government to establish the telecom industry bank.

The ACTON’s VP 1 said the industry needs the right means of financial support for telcos services, it has become important for the industry to have its own financial instrument best suited for the local industry.

“The telecom bank will understand the need of the sector and provide the proper channel to fast track the growth for the benefit of all.” he started.