Evans, Etisalat Boss Says Technology is Biggest Driver of Change for Nigeria

Mr. Steven Evans, chief executive officer, Etisalat Nigeria has said that  technology is the biggest driver of change for developing nations of the world, and has been instrumental in Africa’s transformation over the past decade.

Evans spoke at the just-concluded Economist Conference sponsored by Etisalat and held at the Expo Centre of Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos.

According to him, most developing nations around the world have come to recognize the importance of information technology in the development of their various countries.

Evans who was represented at the event by Mr. Temi Ogunbambi, company’s director of Network Engineering, highlighted some of the obstacles to the growth of the telecoms sector, saying that tough regulatory and policy situations were faced on both federal and state levels, especially when applying for right of way or bringing in infrastructure.

“There needs to be some form of national integration. Etisalat Nigeria invests a significant sum in base stations. There needs to be public education and inclusion, to develop a sense of purpose and ownership so that subscribers become aware that if base stations are destroyed, the community will be deprived. Until the environment and policies are friendly, we cannot fully unleash the potential of investments,” he said.

Ogunbambi was speaking on leveraging technology to enable inclusive, private-sector led growth.

President Goodluck Jonathan, in his keynote address at the conference which had the theme: ‘Nigeria Summit 2013: Enabling and Implementing Change, said Africa is one of the world’s most rapidly growing economies.

The president outlined his outlook for Nigeria for the next decade, saying that government’s commitment was to ensure a clean electoral process, economic inclusion, industrialize the country, especially through the oil and agricultural sectors for the purpose of job and wealth creation.

President Jonathan said the emphasis was also on the private sector, for which the environment is being improved and policies created.

He said in the next few years, the results will be very obvious. “50% of the population are below the age of 35. We have an enormous youth population that we must create jobs for. By creating entrepreneurial skills for young people, one youth can employ five or more,” he said.

Also speaking at the conference, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, former president of Brazil,  said Africa needed more investment, and pointed out that Brazil was reinforcing relations with Nigeria through several agricultural and economic agreements.

“In the 1800s, 3,700 Brazilians lived in Lagos. We owe Africa something. We want to keep our good relations. Brazil can and will contribute to build a stronger partnership between Brazil and Africa.

The 19th and 20th centuries were for Europe, U.S. and followed by China. The 21st century cannot be wasted by Africa or any other country.” he said.