Emma Okonji
Given the contribution of telecommunications to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which stood at N1.549 trillion in the second quarter of 2017, representing 6.68 per cent increase, up from the N1.452 trillion it contributed in the first quarter of the year, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has said that the telecoms sector has all it takes to attract quality foreign investment into the country.
To that end, the Commission said it would use the opportunity of the ITU Telecoms World 2017, taking place in Busan, South Korea, from September 25-28, to further showcase the potential of Nigeria’s telecoms sector, with a view to attracting more foreign investment to the sector.
The Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, who is passionate about deepening the country’s broadband penetration as enshrined in the country’s Five-year National Broadband Plan (2013-2018), said NCC would use the event to also woo investors to invest in Nigeria’s broadband plan.
He noted that the broadband penetration in the country currently stands at 21 per cent, as Nigeria is inching toward 30 per cent penetration next year, which is in line with its national broadband target.
With less than one month to go, organisers of ITU Telecom World 2017, said the stage was set for global ICT leaders to hold conversations and debates on topics spanning the role of data in smart digital transformation, 5G, achieving meaningful digital inclusion and more.
According to the organisers, the forum would feature smart innovation in the exhibition, with over 500 exhibitors to showcase latest Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) solutions and services that will shape the next generation of global leaders and digital experts.
The NCC is billed to host the Nigeria Investment Session at the forum, where it will further showcase the abounding opportunities for investment in the country, providing a platform for interactions between representatives of the Nigerian government, key industry players in Nigeria’s ICT and telecom sector, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and innovators, and investors.
Featuring a line-up of panelists playing key roles across the industry in Nigeria from government, regulatory bodies and indigenous and foreign companies, the discussions at the forum, which will be led by the Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, will highlight progress in meeting the goals of the National Broadband Plan, strategies to deepen connectivity and flagship programmes to drive ICT development in Nigeria.
