The Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta, delivered an impassioned appeal to international telecom companies and potential investors, urging them to capitalize on Nigeria’s burgeoning population of over 200 million people and invest in the country’s thriving telecom sector, particularly in broadband infrastructure.
Speaking at the inaugural edition of the esteemed Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (GITEX) Africa 2023, Danbatta highlighted Nigeria’s stable political and economic conditions, presenting it as an ideal investment destination.
Joining him in endorsing Nigeria’s telecom potential were the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and Nigeria’s Ambassador to Morocco, Mansur Bamalli, who lauded the NCC’s regulatory prowess.
Represented by Babagana Digima, the Team Lead of Nigeria’s Office for Developing the Indigenous Telecom Sector (NODITS), Prof. Danbatta emphasized the NCC’s mandate to facilitate the growth of the telecom industry and underlined the significance of attracting foreign investors to enhance the country’s economic development.
Revealing impressive statistics, he shared that Nigeria boasts over 220 million active mobile voice subscriptions, more than 150 million internet subscriptions, and a broadband penetration rate of 48%. However, despite these achievements, the country has yet to achieve complete connectivity.
With ambitions to achieve 70% broadband penetration by 2025, Prof. Danbatta emphasized the immense investment potential in Nigeria’s telecom sector, particularly in infrastructure deployment. He noted that while the sector already contributes significantly to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), there is still room for growth, making it a prime driver of Nigeria’s digital economy.
“The significance of this event for us as a Commission is to showcase the NCC as a Nigerian brand, a leading telecom regulator in Africa and beyond, and to attract the essential investments that will foster the development of the Nigerian telecom industry,” stated Prof. Danbatta.
Also, he highlighted Nigeria’s abundant pool of talent that investors could tap into for their business operations. The country possesses vast human resources ready to be harnessed by potential investors, contributing to groundbreaking technological innovations and advancing digital solutions.
Prof. Danbatta underscored the importance of GITEX Africa 2023 as a platform for showcasing Nigeria’s talents. The NCC sponsored three indigenous start-ups to display their solutions, paving the way for prospective investors and partnerships.
GITEX Africa 2023, the inaugural edition of the GITEX Global Summit held in Africa, emerged as a transformative forum, amplifying the immense potential of Nigeria’s tech-driven digital economy. The event served as an international platform for cutting-edge technology, bringing together key stakeholders from both the public and private sectors.
