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Disruptive Africa Confab Harps on Digital Transformation Nigeria as a country must embrace digital transformation that is currently sweeping across globe. Also, Africa as a continent has been urged to innovate and digitally transform its activities in line with global technology trends. These were the views expressed by participants who gathered in Lagos recently, for the Disruptive Africa Conference. Addressing the issue of innovative disruptions with regards to telecommunications, the Chief Transformation Officer, MTN Nigeria, Dr. Bayo Adekanmbi, said: “Telecommunications operators in the country have built ecosystem of solutions that will drive technology innovation in the telecoms sector, by creating relevant contents that are serving the needs of customers.� According to him, the current shift from voice communication to data communication, demands that voice-based application be developed to further enhance customer experience in data communication such that customers could use voice to prompt their data and give it command to execute multi-task activities. Head of Department, Organisational Behaviour at the Pan- Atlantic University, Dr. Eugene Ohu, called for increased awareness on education that would boost technology innovation. He said rather than copying new products and solutions from developed countries of the world, Nigerians could build on existing products and solutions to drive technology innovation. On his part, the Chief Executive Officer, Cymantiks Nigeria,
Mr. Emeka Okoye, however called for the development of technology solutions that would address issues in the science and technology space. According to him, majority of Nigerians were yet to feel the impact of technology in agriculture. He said Africans needed to develop the right technology tools that would address the needs of several Nigerians in agriculture and other sectors of the economy. Speaking in the same vein, the Founder, CWG Plc who is an Entrepreneur in Residence at the Columbia Business School, Mr. Austin Okere, said Nigeria needed an all inclusive technology framework that would address the needs of every Nigerian. He called on government to consider the feelings and needs of the masses during economic planning and ensure that government follows up on issues affecting the masses. He said government had refused to take advantage of the country’s population to provide services that meet the needs and aspirations of the masses, which he said could be barrier to digital transformation. He expressed dissatisfaction over the abandonment of the Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN) project by the federal government, that was conceptualised in 2004, to provide broadband bandwidth to tertiary institutions for the purposes of research and development. Worried about government’s withdrawal from financing the NgREN project, Okere said it would affect research and development in tertiary institutions, as well as broadband penetration for the country.
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NCC Set to Woo Foreign Investors at ITU Telecom World 2017 Stories by Emma Okonji Given the contribution of telecommunications to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which stood at N1.549 trillion in the second quarter of 2017, representing 6.68 per cent increase, up from the N1.452 trillion it contributed in the first quarter of the year, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has said that the telecoms sector has all it takes to attract quality foreign investment into the country. To that end, the Commission said it would use the opportunity of the ITU Telecoms World 2017, taking place in Busan, South Korea, from September 25-28, to further showcase the
potential of Nigeria’s telecoms sector, with a view to attracting more foreign investment to the sector. The Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, who is passionate about deepening the country’s broadband penetration as enshrined in the country’s Fiveyear National Broadband Plan (2013-2018), said NCC would use the event to also woo investors to invest in Nigeria’s broadband plan. He noted that the broadband penetration in the country currently stands at 21 per cent, as Nigeria is inching toward 30 per cent penetration next year, which is in line with its national broadband target. With less than one month to
go, organisers of ITU Telecom World 2017, said the stage was set for global ICT leaders to hold conversations and debates on topics spanning the role of data in smart digital transformation, 5G, achieving meaningful digital inclusion and more. According to the organisers, the forum would feature smart innovation in the exhibition, with over 500 exhibitors to showcase latest Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) solutions and services that will shape the next generation of global leaders and digital experts. The NCC is billed to host the Nigeria Investment Session at the forum, where it will further showcase the abounding opportunities for investment
in the country, providing a platform for interactions between representatives of the Nigerian government, key industry players in Nigeria’s ICT and telecom sector, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and innovators, and investors. Featuring a line-up of panelists playing key roles across the industry in Nigeria from government, regulatory bodies and indigenous and foreign companies, the discussions at the forum, which will be led by the Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, will highlight progress in meeting the goals of the National Broadband Plan, strategies to deepen connectivity and flagship programmes to drive ICT development in Nigeria.
EMPOWERING THE LESS PRIVILEGE WITH ICT SKILLS
Students of EkoBits Academy who were trained in computer education, facilitated by Poise Nigeria, during their graduation ceremony in Lagos...recently
NITDA to Boost Investment, Zinox Unveils New GTX Notebook, Kids Legacy Tab Local Tech Entrepreneurs at Zinox Technologies Ltd on Designed in partnership with Living, Core ICT, Internet which are already here with us. Tuesday in Lagos, officially foreign tech firms – Intel Corp., of Things, Medicine, FMCG, Examples are driverless cars, GITEX launched the GTX Notebook Ashour Corporation, Tecsync Entertainment and Education, Big Data and drones, among The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has said it will be focusing on mobilising global attention on the investment potential of Nigeria’s information technology (IT) sector and promotion of local tech-entrepreneurs at this year’s GITEX 2017. This year’s Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (GITEX), the premier technology event in the Middle East, Asia and Africa is expected to host over 185, 000 visitors from more than 140 countries. This year’s GITEX, the 39th edition, holds October 8-12 at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC). Nigeria’s participation at GITEX through the NITDA is fostered around three activities: The Nigerian Pavilion, the Startup Innovation Hub, and the Africa Investment Forum (AIF) being put together jointly by the Nigerian government through the NITDA and the UAE government through the DWTC, organisers of GITEX. The AIF is focusing on Africa’s rapidly and positively changing investment climate particularly in the ICT sector; the forum pays special attention on Ni-
geria’s investment potential as the continent’s largest economy and market for ICT. The AIF targets to host participants from Asia, Europe, the Americas and the rest of Africa. According to the Director General/CEO of NITDA, Dr. Isa Ibrahim Pantami, who had earlier led a NITDA’s team to the DWTC to finalise Nigeria’s participation and ensure the country gets value from her involvement in GITEX 2017, said: “Winning over investors is a continuous exercise. Investors need to be continuously updated on the progress made by the country to welcome investors and ensure high returns on their investment and to understand why Nigeria remains a top destination on the continent for investment.� The Africa Investment Forum will focus on technology investments and how the continent could leverage on increasing value to GDP of ICT in most developing economies. More than 20 African countries are expected to participate and provide groundwork for driving further investments in the ICT sector of the participating countries.
and Kids Legacy Tab, the latest tech products under its future visions roadmap at a well-attended event. The launch was simultaneously Organised at the company’s branches in Port Harcourt, Abuja and Ghana via telepresence. The event, which held at the corporate headquarters of the company in Gbagada, Lagos, had in attendance teachers and students from over 10 schools in Lagos, while students from schools in other locations such as Port Harcourt, Abuja and Ghana also participated in the launch through the telepresence technology deployed. Further spicing up the event was the band of Southfield Academy which thrilled attendees by playing in tune to the rendition of the national anthem. Also in attendance were Chief Executives and representatives of partners, dealers and stakeholders in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector, including Jumia, Konga, SLOT, Yudala, Fine Brothers, Digital Direct, Micro Station Communication, SPAR Nigeria, Callus Miller and the Nigeria Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), among others.
Technology Co. Ltd. and Microsoft; the Kids Legacy Tab and ultra-slim GTX Notebooks are cutting-edge devices from Zinox, both of which have been widely embraced by users and recording huge sales in the market. Speaking at the event, Chairman, Zinox Group, Leo Stan Ekeh, disclosed that the products were the outcome of painstaking research targeted at meeting the future needs of a dynamic consumer base, as captured in the company’s Future Visions roadmap. “The two products being launched are revolutionary products. They took years to develop and fine-tune and are part of the most recent creations in the Zinox future visions. The Zinox future visions mandate is to anticipate where the world is headed and be ready with the right products and solutions. I t is an ambitious project underpinned by research and development that will see the various companies in the Zinox Group diversify into new business areas with products in critical emerging sectors including Robotics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Healthy
among others.� According to Ekeh, “Technology has become the currency of the 21st Century. We are already in the fourth industrial revolution or Industry 4.0, as it is described – a period that will be dominated by new and emerging technologies, some of
others. As a continent, Africa must prepare for this future or stand the risk of being disrupted. This is what the Zinox future visions is all about and we are determined to lead in this race to equip the continent for the future that is already upon us.�
e.Stream Networks Partners MANonInternetConnectivity e.Stream has partnered Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) to provide internet connectivity at its forum. As the official internet provider, the company recently provided internet connectivity at the just concluded 45th Annual General Meeting/ Exhibition of MAN, which held in Lagos. The AGM/Exhibition is an annual gathering of manufacturers in the country where members of the association deliberated on its annual report and other key manufacturing developmental issues. As the official internet provider, members of the association
invited guests and exhibitors were given free internet access to aid their participation at the event and enable them experience e.Stream Networks’ service. e.Stream Networks is a leading broadband communications provider with over 11 years of providing best-in-class connectivity solutions and round the clock proactive customer service support for businesses. Leveraging on a variety of up-to-date technologies, e.Stream is committed to providing seamless broadband connectivity to enhance the operations of manufacturers and its clients in general.