W.Afri.Tel 2009 focuses on new technologies, services

This year’s West African International Telecommunications and Information Communications Technology Exhibition (W.Afri.Tel), is expected to focus on new technologies and services in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in the country.
According to the organisers, Exhibition Management Services (EMS) said this year’s event will bring to the sub-region new and cutting edge technologies as well as products and services that are just about now hitting the developed economies.
Already, returning and potentially new exhibitors have been jostling to be a part of the ninth edition of W.Afri.Tel, which has earned for itself the title of West Africa’s leading platform for showcasing the latest and the best technologies from across the world.
 W.Afri.Tel started out in June 2001, two clear months before the commencement of digital mobile phone services operations by licensees in Nigeria, who emerged from the record-setting Digital Mobile Licence auction held in January of that same year. Licensees chose the global system for mobile communication (GSM) technology and began offering services in August 2001.
Mr. John Thompson, managing director of EMS, said he is delighted to see the phenomenal growth and changes that the telecom revolution has brought to Nigeria, which began in 2001, two months after the first W.Afri.Tel was held, and has continued to open new windows of opportunities for Nigerians and West Africans alike.
“When we initiated W.Afri.Tel in 2001, we did so desirous to bring to the Nigerian people the benefits and opportunities that technologies offer; I am delighted that nine years down the line, we have been proven right in our foresight that Nigeria is a country with limitless opportunities, and therefore deserves an international exhibition hence we introduced W.Afri.Tel.
“I am happy that Nigeria has not only proved to embrace the technological advancements across the world that have been introduced to her, but has become the fastest growing mobile phone market in sub-Saharan Africa,” Thompson added.
W.Afri.Tel 2009, he said, has been designed to focus principally on bringing to Nigeria new technologies, products and services that are just now making waves in the advanced economies. “There are new technologies, products and services that are coming up now across the world. The good thing is that Nigeria has leapfrogged in various areas technologically, because she did not have to suffer under any legacy old technologies. Therefore, it becomes a lot easier as well to introduce new technologies, products and services to Nigeria at this time that the world is advancing in leaps and bounds,” Thompson stated.
The premier ICT exhibition, which is scheduled to run from June 2 – 4, 2009 at the New Expo Centre, Ocean View, Victoria Island, Lagos, has become the most talked about event in West Africa as companies continue to make spirited efforts to book a space to exhibit.
Mr. Mkpe Abang, editor-in-chief of IT & Telecom Digest, the sole Nigeria agent for W.Afri.Tel, stated that this year’s event will build on and surpass the phenomenal success that the previous eight editions had recorded.
“We are making every effort to accommodate all our loyal and new exhibitors, because space is limited, however, we have no choice but allocate the available space on a first-come-first-served basis,” he added.
Mr. Afor Kechi, assistant manager, marketing IT & Telecom Digest’s who is in charge of events, said his office has received many enquiries and requests for exhibition space at W.Afri.Tel 2009. He however said he would be able to disclose those that will exhibit once confirmation is fully made and space finally allocated.