Telecom
TD Africa Records Another First with Huawei EBG 4-Star CSP Certification
TD Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa’s leading technology, lifestyle and solutions distribution giant, has again blazed the trail, beating other multinationals in the West African region to obtain the much-coveted Huawei Enterprise Business Group (EBG) 4-Star Certified Service Partner (CSP) Certification for Internet Protocol (IP)andInformation Technology Networking.
With the certification, TD Africa has become the first and only technology distribution company to obtain the certification in West Africa, especially in Nigeria and Ghana, West Africa’s leading technology markets.
The certification comes with lots of good news for TD partners in the region, says Foluso Olulade, the company’s Head of Marketing, who explained that TD Africa is already working assiduously to obtain the Huawei EBG 5-Star CSP certification, the zenith of the certification sphere.
“Our aim is to attain a 5-Star CSP in IT, IP and Cloud Collaboration. So far, we have attained 4-Star CSP for IP network and IT, while we have a 3-Star CSP for Cloud Collaboration,” Olulade said.
Mr. Kenneth Ogugua, Huawei Business Enterprise Unit Manager at TD Africa, hinted that with the new certification, TD Africa has been empowered to offer a 360-degreebouquet of services to partners, starting from sales to implementation and maintenance of IP and IT networking protocols.
Ogugua said: “This certification means that TD Africa is qualified to carry out some implementations on onsite.
“This is applicable to co-care, which simply means services sold by Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs)such as Huawei, but implemented by technology distribution companies, represented by TD Africa in this instance.
“Therefore, our engineers can go to sites to install servers, networking systems, among other solutions for our plethora of partners.
“The importance of this certification is that it gives TD Africa an edge over other distributors. When it comes to quotation for co-care services, TD Africa can definitely count on more discounts from Huawei, which will surely rub off on our partners. Therefore, our 4-Star status improves our service orientation.
‘‘It is a plus for TD Africa, our partners, as well as the IP and IT networking markets in the West African sub-region. TD Africa boasts further leverage with a functional post-sales team, which others can hardly muster.
“Equally important, this certification represents a boost for TD partners. It means they do not need to sublet their implementation services to third-parties.
“TD Africa can do a full a bouquet, meaning if our partners want the equipment, we can deliver these, and if they want installations, we will gladly do so and even maintain such installations, for the next three years, if they so desire.
“Please note also that this scenario will save our partners the stress of searching for partners to play in these three stages of solution orientations. In fact, it will save our partners from the temptation of utilizing the services of their competitors to maintain their installations.
“For us at TD Africa, this is a win-win situation for our partners, as many of them have been looking forward to this day, when a single technology company, with the might of TD Africa, will have the bandwidth to take up entire projects from supplying solutions to installing and maintaining such solutions, thereby saving our partners the headache and risks associated with using non-trusted sources,” he disclosed.
With over two decades of sterling performance to its name, TD Africa remains the leading tech distribution giant in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The company, which pioneered the current four-tier market structure which brought sanity to the industry, has won a number of local and international awards for its outstanding leadership.
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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