Telecom
NITDA, NCDMB Partner to Promote IT Local Content Production
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has showed its readiness to partner with the Nigeria Content Development & Monitoring Board (NCDMB) on the promotion of indigenous IT products and services.
Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, director general, NITDA, disclosed this during a virtual meeting with the Executive Secretary of NCDMB.
Mallam Abdullahi affirmed that the Agency and NCDMB has so many potential areas of collaboration ranging from the establishment of information Technology (IT) innovation and incubations hub in strategic locations across the country.
According to him, IT Hub is a platform where Technology, Business, Innovation and Entrepreneurship are nurtured by building pools of both native and evolving talent and footloose IT professionals.
He added that the use of the IT Hubs has created lots of job opportunities, in order to fast track the number jobs the Agency has created through IT, NITDA will partner with NCDMB to create a monitoring and evaluation portal.
“We can partner and develop a monitoring and evaluation portal that can help us get the visibility of the number of people we have trained, monitor their progress and have a figure we can present to the government of our contribution in terms of job creation which is in line with Mr President promise to help lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty,” the DG said.
Abdullahi stressed that the development of Software and applications is key to the IT growth and development in the nation because the pandemic has shown the need to build the country’s capacity in terms of software development.
“We have some challenges in the software eco development system which we will like to work together to create a structure which will address this challenges and also help the growth of the IT industry”.
He further stated that the Agency during the lockdown has organised an innovation challenge with the aim of identifying solutions that can help curtail the spread of the virus when the pandemic was at its peak time.
During the innovation challenge, three (3) winners emerged and were awarded and funded to develop a working product and services. The first winner developed a Ventilator which is undergoing testing now; the second winner developed a smart decontamination chamber where it can be put at the entrance of a building, it is been fine tune at the moment and the third winner developed an app called my clinic.ng. It is an online platform where patients can be attended to without going to the hospital.
The NITDA DG affirmed the importance of the Virtual meetings stated earlier by the Executive Secretary of NCDMB.
He stated that the virtual meeting has help the Agency conceptualised and executed ground breaking initiatives during the lockdown period.
“During the lockdown is when we came up with the NITDA Virtual Academy, which as we speak now have more than 26,000 Nigerians learning on the platform”. He said.
Abdullahi added that the Agency is thinking of doing more innovation challenge to identify affordable and more suitable virtual platforms for Nigeria.
“Even if we overcome the pandemic, the virtual meeting has come to stay because of its flexibility and how easy it is to collaborate and work together,” he added.
Earlier, The Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Simbi Wabote said that the Board decided to partner with NITDA to advance the ICT support the board has render to the Nation.
He stated that the board has supported Local ICT companies, procure locally assembled PCs and, utilise MainOne for internet services, use in-house staff developed services and applications, trained a thousand youth and also established ICT centres in secondary school in the six geographical zones of the country.
Telecom
GSMA Report Highlights Telecom Sector’s Contribution to Nigeria’s GDP
A recent Groupe Spécial Mobile Association (GSMA) digital economy report has cast a spotlight on the significant contributions of Nigeria’s telecom sector to the nation’s GDP, highlighting its crucial role in driving economic growth and development.
Released amidst growing interest in the Nigerian telecom landscape, the report provides a comprehensive analysis of the sector’s impact on the country’s economic metrics. Key findings reveal that in 2023 alone, the telecom sector directly contributed 8% to Nigeria’s total GDP. However, when factoring in the wider ICT industries’ value-added contributions, this figure surged to an impressive 13.5%.
Beyond mere numbers, the report delves into the intricacies of the telecom sector’s influence on various economic sectors. It elucidates how the mobile industry’s cumulative contribution to Nigeria’s GDP reached an estimated 20 trillion NGN in 2023, accompanied by substantial tax revenue contributions totalling 2.8 trillion NGN. Such figures further highlight the sector’s role in driving fiscal revenues and national economic stability.
Moreover, the report sheds light on the transformative potential of the telecom sector in enabling digitalisation across key industries. Projections indicate that by 2028, sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, transport, trade, and government are poised to witness a remarkable GDP increase of approximately 2 percentage points.
This surge is expected to generate an additional NGN 1.6 trillion in tax revenue, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s quest for economic diversification and resilience.
“The telecommunications sector is the backbone of the digital economy. We have a strong appreciation of the fact that if we are able to improve the business environment and invest in the sector, we can continue to improve the level of productivity.
A country like Nigeria has significant opportunities to contribute to the world, but this is impossible without diversifying the economy”. Dr. Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy added.
The report also highlights the vital role of 5G networks in enhancing operational efficiency across sectors through real-time data transmission and remote monitoring.
It spotlights the immense potential of digitalisation in sectors like manufacturing and trade, with the capacity to add trillions in industry value and generate substantial employment opportunities and tax revenues.
Despite these promising revelations, the report also acknowledges the challenges faced by the telecom sector, particularly its capital-intensive nature.
The report’s findings beckon a clarion call for concerted efforts to leverage the telecom sector’s potential as a catalyst for economic advancement. With the right policies and investments, Nigeria stands poised to harness the full spectrum of opportunities offered by its vibrant telecom landscape, driving inclusive growth and prosperity for all.
Telecom
Tariff Increase Advocacy Gains Momentum as GSMA Report Reveals Industry Insights
While the advocacy for tariff increase remains under deliberations, revelations in the latest Groupe Spécial Mobile Association (GSMA) digital economy report have watered the ground for an increased tariff increase advocacy. The report, offering a deep dive into the sector’s dynamics, provides compelling arguments for adjusting tariffs to ensure sustainability and growth.
Highlighted in the report is the telecom sector’s significant contribution to Nigeria’s GDP. In 2023 alone, it accounted for 8% of the nation’s total GDP, a figure that swelled to 13.5% when considering the broader ICT ecosystem. The mobile industry’s overall contribution to GDP was estimated at a staggering 20 trillion NGN, with substantial tax revenues of 2.8 trillion NGN.
The sector’s potential to drive digitalisation across various domains is of paramount importance. The report projects a significant boost in GDP across sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, transport, trade, and government, translating into nearly 2 million jobs and an additional NGN 1.6 trillion in tax revenues by 2028.
The promise of 5G networks is poised to revolutionise operations, particularly in critical sectors like oil and mining, with real-time data transmission and remote monitoring enhancing efficiency. Digitalisation, especially in manufacturing and trade, holds immense potential for value addition and job creation, promising billions in additional tax revenues.
Despite Nigeria’s noteworthy internet usage figures, with 29% of the population regularly online, the sector faces challenges. The country boasts the lowest-cost data baskets in Africa, yet maintaining competitive mobile data network speeds remains essential. With an average speed of 21Mbps, Nigeria’s performance is comparable to neighbouring countries, underscoring the need for sustained investments.
However, sustaining this growth requires recognizing the capital-intensive nature of the telecom sector. Operators must continually invest in network maintenance and expansion, necessitating a conducive regulatory environment that ensures fair returns on investments.
Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo, commenting during the report launch, said, “We raised several issues on the state of affairs of the telecom industry, and among the challenges articulated is the return on investment, stability of the infrastructure and the need for pricing rights. As an ecosystem, tariff hike is one of the sensitive issues affecting the telecom sector and has to be addressed by all stakeholders. We need to look at the state of affairs of the industry and examine holistically. There are ongoing obligations to our end users including infrastructure security. Tariff increase is a solution to solve multiple challenges of the telecom industry.“
The GSMA report positions the ongoing tariff adjustment deliberations as a strategic move to secure the sector’s long-term viability. With Nigeria’s digital future at stake, finding a balance between affordability for consumers and sustainability for operators is paramount to ensure continued growth and innovation in the telecom landscape.
Telecom
The Telecoms Sector Cannot be Used Palliative for Economic Woes –Adebayo
Gbenga Adebayo, chairman, Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has said the telecoms sector should not be a palliative to solve economic woes.
He made this call during his address at the Groupe Spécial Mobile Association (GSMA) digital economy report launch which took place in Abuja.
According to Adebayo, the telecom industry faces numerous challenges that hinder its growth and development.
He emphasized the need for sustainable investment, effective regulation, and a conducive business environment to drive progress.
The GSMA digital report, launched May 9th 2024, 2024, highlights the telecom’s 8 percent contribution to Nigeria’s GDP and 13.5% when considering the broader ICT ecosystem.
The report also highlights the significant challenges plaguing the industry including investment challenges, right of way, multiple taxation, and regulation.
Adebayo highlighted the existence of over 45 associated charges and levies on operators, despite the supposed removal of right of way costs.
He said that it creates an unfavorable business environment, discouraging investment and hindering the industry’s ability to deliver quality services.
He also stressed that regulatory interference and the lack of independence for the regulator exacerbate the problem.
The price review should be a simple regulatory process.
The public debate this has gained makes it appear the industry is insensitive to people’s concern.
“While the government tries to provide incentives for the public on account of ongoing macroeconomic headwinds, the telecoms sector should not be used as a palliative to solve the people’s problem. We must price right to sustain the industry; we must price right to have the right investment,” , Adebayo said.
He concluded that the industry must be allowed to operate sustainably, with the right investment and regulation, to deliver quality services and drive economic progress; encouraging stakeholders, including policymakers, regulators, and operators, to work together to address the challenges facing the industry, in order to drive economic growth, and fulfill its potential as a critical sector in Nigeria’s economy.
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