Prof. Umar Danbatta, the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has urged international telecom companies and potential investors to capitalize on Nigeria’s population of over 200 million people and invest in the country’s telecom sector, particularly in broadband infrastructure provisioning.
Speaking at the inaugural edition of the Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (GITEX) 2023 in Marrakesh, Morocco, Danbatta highlighted Nigeria’s stable political and economic conditions as favorable for investment. Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and Nigeria’s Ambassador to Morocco, Mansur Bamalli, also commended the regulatory prowess of the NCC, positioning Nigeria as a prime investment destination in Africa.
Represented at the conference by Babagana Digima, the Team Lead of the Nigeria Office for Developing the Indigenous Telecom Sector (NODITS), Danbatta emphasized the NCC’s mandate to facilitate the development of Nigeria’s telecom industry. Attracting foreign investors is seen as a vital means to enhance economic growth.
Danbatta informed global stakeholders at the event that the Nigerian government has been highly supportive of the telecom industry, which has experienced significant growth, boasting over 220 million active mobile voice subscriptions, over 150 million Internet subscriptions, and a broadband penetration rate of 48 percent. However, the country has yet to achieve full connectivity, with a national target of 70 percent broadband penetration by 2025.
“The telecom sector in Nigeria needs more investment in the area of infrastructure deployment,” stated the EVC, highlighting the immense potential for investors.
He further highlighted that Nigeria’s telecom sector has emerged as a major contributor to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), driving the growth of the digital economy.
Danbatta underscored the significance of the event, expressing the NCC’s aim to showcase itself as a leading Nigerian brand and a prominent telecom regulator in Africa and beyond. The objective is to attract the much-needed investment that will foster the development of Nigeria’s telecom industry.
He also emphasized the abundance of talent in Nigeria that investors can tap into to support their business operations and drive global technological innovations and digital solutions.
During GITEX Africa 2023, the inaugural GITEX Global Summit held in Africa, the NCC sponsored three indigenous start-ups to exhibit their solutions, providing a platform for potential investors and partnerships.
GITEX Africa aims to be Africa’s most influential forum for highlighting the immense potential of a tech-driven digital economy. It serves as an international platform for cutting-edge technology, bringing together stakeholders from both public and private sectors.