Group Restates Commitment to Sustainable Development Strategy in ICT Sector, Advocates Public-private Sector Collaboration

Emma Okonji

As part of efforts to drive collaboration and resilience among stakeholders in the telecommunications and technology sector, the Telecommunications and Technology Sustainability Working Group (TTSWG), has restated its commitment to ensure sustainable development in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector, through the implementation of sustainable business practices that will benefit the sector and the country.

The group restated the commitment at a recent webinar it organised to address various national issues in the telecoms and Information Technology (IT) sector.
The event brought together key stakeholders in telecommunications, government, legal, the private sectors, and the media to discuss industry challenges and ways to achieve sustainable development in the sector.

The webinar, hosted for the first time in 2021, is also expected to foster partnerships between governments, the commercial sector, and civil society for a successful sustainable development strategy.

With the theme: “Collaboration for Resilient ICT Sector”, panellists discussed opportunities to be derived from strategic partnerships, policy formulation/advocacy, events, and programmes.

Speaking on the impact of TTSWG while making a business case for sustainability, the Chief Executive, CSR-in-Action, Bekeme Masade-Olowola, said: “There is growing interest in sustainability around the world. This means more interest in investors as well because within sustainability are the ESG principles which look at how organisations engage their employees, communities, government, businesses and the environment. Therein lies the intrinsic value of sustainability. The ICT sector has presented itself as forward-thinking and TTSWG is propelling its effectiveness.”
Panellists at the webinar included the Chair, Mobile Software Solutions Limited, Mr. Chris Uwaje; Executive Director, SystemSpecs, DeRemi Atanda; Chairman, Legal and Regulatory Committee, Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Eno Udoma-Eniang; and President/CEO, High-Tech Centre for Women and Youth in Nigeria, Dr. Wunmi Hassan.

In her remarks, Udoma-Eniang spoke on the impact of ICT sector on other sectors of the economy and the need to do more through collaboration.

According to her, ‘’ICT providers need to revolve, reinvent, and reposition to move from being traditional to basic innovative providers. There are already a few partnerships that push digital and virtual solutions. We have made growth in various sectors including telemedicine, food sustainability, Agrotech and payment solutions. There is more we can do with collaboration especially in areas such as the establishment of smart cities and rural telephony. Operators should know that the sector is stronger and must collaborate for sustainability.’’

Also speaking on government and private sector collaboration, Atanda stated that governance has been challenged during the pandemic hence the need to collaborate with the ICT sector for business sustainability to thrive. He emphasised the importance of turning conversations into action and the role TTSWG is playing to ensure development through coopetition.

“The dimension of partnerships is taking the government on a platform of growth and this provides an opportunity for the private sector to thrive. This collaboration will further enhance the achievement of sustainability goals, interconnectedness with policy conversations, advocacy and solutions.

“The TTSWG seeks to address various national issues by mobilising human and material capital available to stakeholders in the focus sector to ensure sustainable practices that benefit the sector and the country, ”Atanda said.

Providing insight for a way forward in the ICT industry, Uwaje spoke on the importance to refocus our policy and strategy. He said the new economy would require that there is awareness of the impact of ICT. He added that government should work with private sectors to ensure collaboration while prescribing a digital museum where young people can learn.

The TTSWG is a collaborative effort aimed at yielding joint action among key telecommunications and technology stakeholders through various strategic partnerships, policy formulation/advocacy, events and programmes. Some members of the TTSWG include MTN Nigeria, IHS Towers, Main One, Airtel, National Communications Commission (NCC), ALTON and National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).