The Nigerian Communication Commission, (NCC), has indicated its intention to assist start-ups in tech entrepreneurship and innovation, in the ICT sector.
This was alluded to, by Professor Umar Danbatta, the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, NCC, at the first day, of a two-day, Emerging telecoms Technologies Research forum, in Kano, billed to hold, from August 14 to 15, 2019. The theme of the forum is, “Developing Nigeria’s Tech Eco-System: Imperative for improving Local Content”.
“The commission, in its efforts to encourage tech entrepreneurship and innovation in ICT sector, has embarked on visitation, to various tech startups across the six geopolitical zones to assess their development and challenges. We intend to assist the various tech hubs with the right regulatory interventions, to ease their operations”, the EVC/CEO stated.
In attendance at the forum were stakeholders in the telecom ecosystem, such as Mobile Network Operators, (MNOs), Internet Service Providers, (ISPs), Tech Hub Entrepreneurs, Original Equipment Manufacturers, (OEMs), investors, Venture Capitalists, etc.
He also stated that, given the wide availability of information technology to serve markets globally, it is imperative that the right framework are developed to enhance the abilities of indigenous companies to maximally explore and exploit local opportunities, as well as, remain globally competitive.
Danbatta said that, this has become necessary, to innovate on how to access segments of the consumer wallets that are not presently allocated to communication, by providing solutions to consumer needs, in other vertical areas of education, health, government services, made available through telecoms network infrastructure.
The ICT Innovation Forum has become necessary to promote local content with emphasis on the Tech ecosystem, identifying unmet needs and facilitate Public Private Partnership, (PPP), he added.
He stated that, Kano State has been the center of commerce in Nigeria and has the largest concentration of tech hubs in the Northwest region of the country.
Danbatta stressed that, the forum is vital, to the telecommunication industry and the entire tech-ecosystem, explaining that, finding local solutions, to the challenges of the industry, is a key policy, of the present administration and NCC acknowledges that, Kano State has been one of the prominent States, at the forefront of technology innovation in Nigeria.
“This kind of forum helps all of us to create awareness and underscore the need to be innovative. I am positive our engagement today, will improve our collaborative efforts and actions, aimed at accelerating innovation and economic growth in Nigeria’, Danbatta concluded.
Featured Image: Professor Umar Danbatta, the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, NCC
Do you have a story that is worth featuring? Get in touch via [email protected]
Don’t miss important articles during the week. Subscribe to cfamedia weekly newsletter for updates.
