Telecom
AfriTECH2021 Seeks Urgent Steps to Drive Inclusive Digital Economy
Stakeholders in the information and communication technology industry have stressed that accelerating innovation remains the best path to drive inclusive growth.
L-R: Mr. Chinenye Mba-Uzoukwu, president, Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON); Engr. Oluwatoyin Asaju, director, Spectrum Administration at NCC and Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, director, Public Affairs at NCC, during AfriTECH2021 in Lagos recently
The tech experts among who are C-Suite executives, founders, presidents of companies/organisations, presidents of industry associations, startups/entrepreneurs and government officials, and others., unanimously agreed on this at the 2021 Africa Tech Alliance Forum (AfriTECH2021) held in Lagos on Wednesday October 13, 2021, highlighting that building infrastructure to extend internet access in underserved areas will drive digital transformation across board.
Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, executive vice chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), focusing his presentation on “NCC as a Digital Transformation Crusader and Nigeria’s in-Road to 5G Deployment,” stated that, following the advent of COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a change in the dynamics of people’s interaction, especially on the Internet.
The EVC represented by Engr. Oluwatoyin Asaju, director, Spectrum Administration at NCC, said that almost every means of communication has become virtual in one way or the other.
“Already, we are set for the auction of some spectrum slots in the 3.5GHz band. The other day I was at the National assembly, I informed the senate that we were 95 per cent ready for 5G. Today as we speak, I am delighted to tell you that we are already at 97 percent completion,” Danbatta said at #AfriTECH2021.
“The Committee set up to auction the Spectrum has already developed an Information Memorandum (IM) which is already published for inputs and comments from all industry stakeholders. Prior to this, a 5G deployment plan was developed and we have since secured Federal Government’s approval,” he said.
Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, director general, National Information Technology Development Agency, (NITDA), said that with advent of new technologies occasioned by the fourth industrial revolution, it has become imperative to increase Africa’s level of preparedness and develop capacity of the youth.
Abdullahi who was represented by Dr. Usman Gambo Abdullahi, director IT Infrastructure Solutions at NITDA, spoke on ‘Reskilling Africa’s Youth for Future Jobs from NITDA’s perspective’ adding that the fourth industrial revolution will continue to fundamentally alter the way human begins live, work, and relate to one another.
He said, “We need to look at the educational sector and focus more on skills and research that can be used to develop the economy. People should not see education as the end but means to the end. We need to look for ways to disabuse people’s mind on paper qualification and inculcate in them those skills required for the imminent industrial revolution and also focus more on science and technology.”
In her keynote address anchored on the Forum’s theme: Embracing Change and Digital Transformation in the New Normal, Olatomiwa Williams, the Country Manager, Microsoft Nigeria, said that COVID-19 has happened with different experiences, but there are a lot of opportunities for the Continent.
She said leveraging technology to ensure that the continent is actually accelerating the digital economy potentials cannot be over-emphasised
“Looking at the impact of COVID-19 and how it has accelerated digital transformation and based on research and engagements globally, two years of digital transformation was achieved within two months. What does that tell us? It tells us that because we were able to embrace the change that COVID brought, we were able to make those changes happen. These changes continue to accelerate. So, it means that an organization can no longer do business as usual. Everyone needs to embrace digital transformation at a fast reach”, the Microsoft Country Manager said.
Zoho Corporation also hosted a workshop during AfriTECH2021. Andrew Bourne, Regional Manager at Zoho Africa, said that for organizations large and small, the year 2020 was the longest year ever however the quick lesson is the urgent need to reorient the workforce to a new way of working.
“It came swiftly with playbooks being written and rewritten depending on what leaders were learning from government authorities, medical professionals, and from their own employees.
With a reference to Forbes’ report, he said: “Millennial currently hold the largest purchasing power, but Gen-Z is close behind. The group, which was born between 1996 and 2010, already holds $44 billion buying power ($600 billion when considering their influence on their parents’ spending) and will hit the workforce and become powerful consumers in the next few years. In the next year, they will account for 40% of all U.S consumers. To succeed, companies need to know how to tailor a great consumer experience for Gen-Z”.
Andrew also demonstrated how to drive customer loyalty through a CRM system. Through this means new customers get introduced to the company through a ‘promoting’ customer which could be triggered by word of mouth, social media recommendations or customer testimonial.
In his part, Prof. Muhammed Abukakar, managing director and ceo, Galaxy Backbone Limited, has expressed the company’s preparedness to provide ICT infrastructure and services to public institutions and the underserved communities in Nigeria.
Abukakar was speaking on ‘Boosting Cloud Infrastructure for Digital Economy through Partnerships’ through a representative, Mr. Timi Fadeyi, head DataCentre at Galaxy Backbone, said “We need to work smarter, faster and simpler – a combination of a hybrid mode of working and harnessing relationships; virtual, physical, both.
“Artificial Intelligence is reshaping value chains, industries, communities, countries and the works entirely. You also need to secure your data; secure your entire digital experience, a combination of technology and you.
Other key industry stakeholders participated at the one-day Forum, which also featured exhibition by some sector players such as Zoho Corporation, Medallion Communications, Layer3 and Notion Technology Limited (representatives of American #1 Technology company – Comway – and Hsv Products)
The AfriTECH2021 had Zoho as the lead sponsors received supports from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC); the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA); Galaxy Backbone Limited, as partners, also sponsored by Rack Centre, Digital Encode, Cloudflex Computing Services Limited, Zinochrome International, Layer3, Notion Technology Limited and Medallion Communications.
Mr. Peter Oluka, Editor of TechEconomy.ng and the convener of AfriTECH said that Africa must play leading role in the fourth industrial revolution by embracing emerging technologies such as 5G, Internet of Things; Cloud Computing; Quantum Computing Augmented/Virtual Reality which are also playing a critical role in improving remote communication over the internet with great user experience.
He said that the recent events around COVID-19 Pandemic demonstrated why the government and the private sector must embrace digital transformation.
Lebara Nigeria is building excitement for its upcoming Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) launch, giving customers a chance to secure a personalized piece of their mobile identity.
The company has opened a Number Reservation Portal, allowing users to reserve their preferred mobile numbers before the official service goes live in the third quarter of 2025.
This strategic move is all about giving customers a sense of ownership from day one. Using the carrier’s 0724 prefix, users can choose a number that’s meaningful to them, whether it’s a birthday, a lucky number, or an easy-to-remember pattern.
The reservation process is straightforward. Users must be at least 13 years old and provide a few basic details to get a one-time password via email.
Once verified, they’ll need to enter their National Identification Number (NIN), which the system uses to confirm personal information.
After this, a list of available numbers appears, and a final confirmation email completes the reservation.
Lebara, a London-based global MVNO, according to yozzo.com, is no stranger to the telecom world, with a strong presence as a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) across Europe and other regions.
Its entry into Nigeria is a calculated move to carve out a space in the highly competitive market.
By allowing customers to pick their numbers early, Lebara hopes to build loyalty and highlight its customer-first philosophy.
The company plans to operate a lean, technology-driven model by leveraging existing network infrastructure, which will help keep costs low and make its pricing competitive.
At launch, Lebara will offer nationwide coverage, a dedicated 0724 number series, and both SIM and eSIM options.
Beyond traditional connectivity, Lebara is also partnering with local government and the Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy to launch public Wi-Fi hubs and promote digital inclusion for creators and underserved communities.
The core of its proposition is affordability, transparent billing, and a strong customer service model designed to challenge established players.
Lebara’s entry won’t be without its challenges.
It will face off against many other competitors in Nigeria’s emerging MVNO space.
This wave of new entrants comes after the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) issued 46 MVNO licenses, with many of the licensees expected to have already launched.
Despite this, the local media’s focus has largely been on only a couple of them, Vitel and now Lebara.
Telecoms stakeholders have cautioned that many Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) in Nigeria could struggle to survive unless they address infrastructure gaps, target niche markets, and adapt to local realities.
The warning came during the sixth edition of the Telecoms Sector Sustainability Forum, organised by Business Remarks in Lagos on Tuesday.
According to the stakeholders, securing a license from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is not enough to ensure survival in a market dominated by major Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) like MTN, Airtel, and Glo.
Chidi Ajuzie, director of USK Mobile, highlighted the stark reality facing MVNOs, noting that none of the over 40 licensed operators have fully launched services.
“Licenses are not cash cows. Too many people think that once you get a license, the money will start rolling in. The truth is, you must build infrastructure, study the market, and create services that meet consumer needs. Without that, many MVNOs will die out quickly,” Ajuzie said.
Ajuzie pointed out that smaller operators, particularly those in Tier 4 and Tier 5 categories, face significant financial hurdles in building their own infrastructure to support capacity.
However, he sees this as an opportunity for innovation, urging MVNOs to target niche markets such as youth, migrant workers, or fintech services, as seen in successful models in South Africa and India.
“Half of us may launch, but only those with clear strategies will survive,” he warned, predicting mergers and consolidations in the coming years.
Tony Emoekpere, president of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), echoed Ajuzie’s concerns, stressing that market differentiation is critical for MVNO survival.
“The MNOs already provide enterprise services, internet, and fintech. MVNOs must find gaps and focus on those,” Emoekpere said.
He cited Kenya’s M-Pesa, which revolutionized payments by targeting rural and low-income users, as a model for local innovation.
Emoekpere suggested that MVNOs could capitalize on Nigeria’s underserved rural areas, where millions lack access to reliable telecom and financial services. “Something as simple as a low-data package for POS machines in rural areas could be a game-changer,” he added.
Olusola Teniola, director, IPNX, cautioned against adopting foreign business models without considering Nigeria’s unique environment. “In some villages, people still travel by canoe or horse for hours to access basic services. If your business model doesn’t account for that, it will fail,” Teniola said.
He urged MVNOs to focus on the bottom of the pyramid, where millions lack basic connectivity, rather than competing for urban smartphone users.
Teniola also warned that failure to strengthen indigenous companies could lead to more profits leaving Nigeria through foreign-owned operators, emphasizing the need for policies to protect data sovereignty and foster local innovation.
The stakeholders said while MVNOs have the potential to expand Nigeria’s telecom sector and increase consumer choice, their survival hinges on strategic planning, niche targeting, and a focus on rural connectivity.
Without urgent action to address infrastructure challenges and adapt to local needs, many MVNOs risk disappearing before they can establish a foothold in Nigeria’s competitive telecom landscape.
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has defended the recent upward review of telecom tariffs, insisting that Nigeria’s rates remain among the cheapest in the world due to strong industry competition.
Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja recently, Dr. Aminu Maida, executive vice chairman, NCC, said that despite a 50% hike in tariffs, call rates have only moved from ₦15 per minute in the early 2000s to about ₦18–₦19 per minute today.
“Even with the increase, not all operators adjusted their tariffs. Some are still undercutting others. That is competition at work,” Maida explained.
He assured that the commission will continue to strengthen regulations to encourage competitiveness and transparency.
According to him, NCC is adopting an information disclosure strategy to enable consumers to make informed choices.
Maida also cautioned Nigerians against relying on Truecaller for identity verification, stressing that it is not linked to Nigeria’s SIM registration database and often provides misleading results.
He noted that while all SIMs in use are registered, some individuals deliberately use proxies, including domestic staff, to register SIMs an act he described as a crime.
The NCC boss disclosed that in September, the commission will launch a coverage and tariff map to help subscribers compare network quality and pricing across operators.
He further revealed plans for spectrum trades and leases to optimise usage and improve service delivery, adding that most Nigerian phones already support 4G, which remains the “sweet spot” for mobile broadband.
Maida emphasised the need for fresh capital and stronger corporate governance within the sector to sustain growth, enhance service quality, and strengthen national security.
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