The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), has called for an efficient digital infrastructure in the country.
This was made known at the briefing to unveil the eighth edition of the LCCI’s yearly Information Communication Technology & Telecommunication (ICTEL) EXPO held yesterday in Lagos.
The president of LCCI, Dr Michael Olawale-Cole said that “the choice of the theme of this year’s edition of the ICTEL EXPO is, ‘Ensuring Efficient Digital Infrastructure in Nigeria’ is appropriate and timely.”
According to him, this is not just because digitisation is contemporary and topical, but because Africa and indeed Nigeria, generally speaking seemed to be very slow in coming to terms with the far- reaching implications of an increasingly digitised world.
“The federal government has demonstrated considerable interest in a digital economy, as manifested, for instance, with the change of the name of the former ministry of communications to the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy; however, a lot more needs to be done to ensure that government agencies are truly digital and their services truly accessible digitally.”
Olawale-Cole noted that government’s announcement of a target of $40 billion private capital investment in digital infrastructure by 2025, besides facilitating about $1 billion in private equity is commendable and deserves the focus that the 2022 ICTEL EXPO is giving to it.
He stated that 2022 ICTEL EXPO is providing a great opportunity to influence national discourse on digital infrastructure in Nigeria, saying this is significant for businesses and professionals who will be impacted significantly by an efficient and effective digital infrastructure.
“The EXPO will therefore provide the required information, robust discussion and inspiration which many small and medium enterprises (SMEs) need in their quest for improved knowledge, business growth and sustainability,” he added.
“Significantly, the 2022 ICTEL EXPO was also planned to provide aspiring entrepreneurs, Tech Start-Ups and thousands of unemployed and under employed Nigerians yet another opportunity for an enriching learning experience, capacity building, mentoring, connecting with investors and employers of labour and listening to life-changing accounts from different stakeholders,” he informed.
He pointed out, the EXPO will have significant impact on policy initiatives and advocacy, especially in the ICT and Telecommunication space as the speakers will bring to the fore issues that would greatly enhance government’s plans for improved digital infrastructure as an imperative to boost business digitization generally and the nation’s quest for a digital economy.
Also, the chairman, Trade Promotion Board, LCCI, Engineer Leye Kupoluyi said “in ensuring we have an impactful EXPO, the right caliber of experts and eminent resource persons in both the public and private sectors of the economy are participants. The speakers are the chairman of Heirs Holdings and United Bank for Africa, Mr Tony Elumelu and the publisher of Marketing Edge Magazine, Mr John Ajayi.
He said both of them will be supported by an assemblage of other distinguished resource persons who will be handling conference sessions, master classes and panel discussions.
