#CVExpo15 Focuses on Africa’s Biggest Technology Market

Technology users, mobile consumers, business professionals, the media, entertainment stars and other delegates, on Tuesday, converged on Lagos at the maiden Computer Village exhibition with focus on the Africa’s largest technology market.

Speakers at #CVExpo15 tagged #OtigbaRising and organized by the Technology Times, were unanimous in their views that players in the market must innovate to leverage the online space and remain relevant in the present era.

Mr. Godfrey Nwosu, president of The Phone and Allied Products Dealers Association (PAPDAN), said that statistics show that over 20 million phones are sold in the Computer Village, monthly.

He recalled that the present location of the market was a residential area until late 1999 or early 2000 when Internet technology became a household name in corporate Nigeria. Knowing that a major industry was about to spring forth, savvy businessmen took position in the most vantage location of Ikeja – Otigba Street to commence trading in IT equipments and devices.

By 2003 a year after GSM services were introduced to Nigeria, computer village had become a household name among Telecommunication users, especially small businesses and end users.

Nwosu, said that several business dynamics are currently impacting the market as it is losing grounds to other African markets.

According to him, to retain the relevance of the market which the National Bureau of Statistics said contributes about 2% to the national GDP, government ought to make deliberate policies to protect local investors and OEMs.

The PAPDAN President said the present foreign exchange impasse also has negative impact on the market comprising of mainly startup businesses.

Nodding in agreement, Mrs. Adenike Shittu, managing director and chief executive officer of Mojoy Computers, said that, before now Computer Village was a toast of other West African markets, but the evolution of online retailers has led to decline of patronage on the customers, couple with neglect by local authorities.

She called on e-commerce retailers to perceive Computer Village operators are credible partners in the computer and electronics distribution chain, hence they are ready to rebrand for better business operations.

But, Ojikutu Adeniyi, principal partner, Pacific Network Solutions Limited, said that solutions to Computer Village revolve around operators in the market creating values to lure customers.

Adeniyi argued that instead of seeking help from either the government or other market segments, operators at the market must embrace technology, close ranks among themselves to create tempo for trust and confidence among visitors.

“We need to embrace the internet. Today, Yudala is taking charge because we do not even have anything like Computervillage.com where people can search and obtain first-hand information about the market. How do we measure our successes and failures? The ultimate thing is to close ranks and maintain standards. By the time people visit computer village and are satisfied, they will try to visit again,” Adeniyi who is a CAPDAN presidential contestant said.

Earlier, Mr. Shina Badaru, chief executive officer of Technology Times, said that the exhibition was converged to showcase the Computer village (Lagos) Nigeria as the computers and computer accessories market with incredible potentials.

He said, “This is the biggest technology market in Africa where you can find a wide array of branded computers and cloned PCs here. The market is also host to a multitude of digital cameras and camera accessories, and mobile phones and accessories. This is market awash with computer technical gurus.

“As the largest technology market in Africa it is usually very busy and rowdy. But it differs greatly from other markets in that it is home to the major dealers of Mobile Phones and computers as well as their accessories. The market was never planned to be what it is so finding your way around it might be problematic if you are a first time visitor.

Interestingly, there is never a dull moment here and must remain relevant as a major contributor to employment generation and wealth creation haven. That is why we want to use these few days to showcase the products and abilities of the market people,” he said.

The three-day expo provides platform for thought leadership sessions with Ikeja Computer Village Business Leaders, among other lined up activities.