Telecom
Huawei Says More Fibre Optic Cable Deployment Needed To Boost Broadband
By peter oluka
Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd., has called for improved fibre optic cable deployment to boost Nigeria’s broadband initiative and even deepen economic growth.
Mr. Frank Li, the managing director, Huawei Nigeria, made the remark at a media conference organised by Huawei recently in Lagos, which focused on the impact of ICT development on the Nigerian economy, stressed the need for Nigeria to invest more in broadband infrastructure deployment, to enable its citizens fully utilise the huge deposits of broadband capacities at the shores of the country, from various submarine cable operators like MainOne, Glo1, MTN WACS, and SAT 3.
He said that increased fibre optic cable deployment across the nooks and crannies of the country, is critical to tackle the low broadband penetration, which currently stood at 21 per cent.
He emphasised, in a report by ThisDay, on the need for Nigeria to surpass its broadband target of 30 per cent penetration by 2018.
Aside the need for ubiquitous broadband access, through heavy deployment of fibre optic cables across the country, Li also called for policy consistency on the part of government, which he said, would enable every successful government to build on existing projects that are tilted towards digital technology transformation.
According to the Huawei Nigeria MD, digital transformation remained the bedrock of economic development for advanced nations, and Nigeria must take full advantage of the fourth industrial revolution, that is purely knowledge based.
“Nigeria needs more fibre optic cable deployment and long term policy implementation for speedy technology development, and Huawei will continue to play a major role in Nigeria’s digital transformation, since Nigeria is a huge market for Hiawei.
Government must do more to fast-track digital transformation across the country. The ripple effect with return on investment is high and it will continue to boost GDP growth of the county,” Li added.
According to the ThisDay report, Huawei would continue to support technology development in Nigeria, through its various project initiatives.
ICT Consultant, and former Director General of NTA, Vincent Maduka, who spoke at conference on technology growth in Nigeria, said so much development has taken place in the country’s ICT sector, but stressed the need for more investment in modern technologies that would speed up economic development.
Looking at the impact of ICT development on the Nigerian economy, the Country Editor of The Business Year, Silvia Lambiase, said: “ICT occupies a central role in the current administration’s agenda, and it is expected to contribute to monitoring and tracking information in real time, allowing better decision-making.”
Director, Communication and Information Sector, UNESCO – Nigeria, Macaulay Olushola, who was represented by Anthony Ogunniyi from UNESCO-Nigeria, called on Nigerians to use ICTs for Education, Creation of Wealth, Poverty Eradication, Job Creation, and Global Competitiveness.
He said the use of ICT would ensure sustainable economic development and poverty reduction.
“At the wake of 2000, the federal government of Nigeria embarked on an aggressive drive on the privatisation and deregulation policies of the ICT sub-sector, which led to the establishment of National Telecommunication Policy in December 2001.
“The policy, among other things, recognised the need for the establishment of an enabling environment for deregulation and rapid expansion of the telecommunication services in the country.
“The implementation of ICTs policy led to the adoption of Global System for Mobile-Communications (GSM) and its related components in Nigeria, and this has led to telecoms growth in the country,” Olushola said. Source: ThisDay
At the recently concluded NextNow Business Forum in Victoria Island, MTN Nigeria electrified the business community with a live demonstration of its forthcoming Communication Platform as a Service (CPaaS), a solution engineered to redefine how Nigerian enterprises connect with their customers.
Unlike traditional communication systems, MTN’s CPaaS is built for the realities of a mobile-first market. The platform unifies SMS, voice, WhatsApp, email, and more into a single, intuitive interface. This approach is especially significant in Nigeria, with over 107 million internet users, 45.4% of the total population, according to Data Report. This figure underscores the necessity for businesses to meet customers where they are.
During the demo, attendees witnessed how CPaaS enables two-way, real-time conversations between brands and customers. The platform’s support for rich media, instant analytics, and seamless integration with business workflows drew particular attention. These features are designed to empower businesses with data-driven insights and the agility to personalise every interaction, whether it’s a service notification, marketing campaign, or customer support exchange.
Akinbulejo Onabolu, Head of Enterprise Segment at MTN Nigeria, articulated the vision: “CPaaS gives enterprises the flexibility to interact with their customers on their preferred platforms; whether it’s chat, voice, or messaging, in a way that feels personal and immediate. We’re looking forward to the value this will unlock for businesses across industries once it launches.”
The fireside chat added depth to the conversation, with Omowunmi Olatunbosun, Head of SME Segment at MTN Nigeria, and Stephen Agbi of Bayobab, highlighting how digital engagement bridges the gap between businesses and audiences.
They emphasised that today’s consumers demand immediacy, relevance, and ease, qualities that CPaaS is built to deliver.
The stakes for digital transformation in Nigeria are high. In a report by Punch, the country’s enterprise tech market is projected to reach $22 billion by 2027, reflecting a surge in demand for scalable, cloud-based solutions that drive efficiency and customer loyalty.
The CPAAS Acceleration Alliance have estimated that globally, the CPaaS market is expected to grow from $14.7 billion in 2025 to $72.4 billion by 2035, at a compound annual growth rate of 18.4%, a testament to the platform’s transformative potential.
The event’s closing keynote from META’s Korhan Yunak reinforced the strategic value of digital channels like WhatsApp, which are now indispensable for business communication and engagement at scale.
As MTN Nigeria prepares for the Q3 2025 launch, the anticipation is unmistakable. With its promise of flexibility, intelligence, and seamless integration, MTN’s CPaaS platform is set to become the backbone of next-generation business-customer engagement in Nigeria, enabling enterprises to not just communicate but to connect, adapt, and grow in a digital-first era.
MTN Uganda is seeking input from stakeholders on a plan to structurally separate its mobile money service, MoMo, from its core telecoms business.
According to the company, the proposed change will be discussed at the upcoming extraordinary general meeting on July 2.
If approved, the telco’s fintech business will be run by a new company controlled by MTN Group Fintech Holdings B.V. and a trust benefiting minority shareholders following a merger.
Additionally, the restructuring also aligns with MTN Group’s ambition 2025 strategy which aims to unlock value, attract new investors, and strengthen regulatory compliance by creating standalone fintech entities in Uganda, Ghana, and Nigeria.
The company’s fintech division has over 13 million customers, with an 18.4% revenue increase in the first quarter of 2025, driven by 19.0% growth in mobile money services, 19.8% growth in transaction volumes, and a 31.4% increase in transaction value.
Reports say the decision is part of the telco’s compliance with the National Payment Systems Act 2020, which mandates mobile money businesses to operate as standalone entities, and to align with MTN Group’s regional fintech strategy.
MTN Uganda, which is led by CEO Sylvia Mulinge, highlighted that the implementation of the proposed transaction will be subjected to a number of conditions and regulatory procedures.
“The implementation of the proposed transaction shall be subject to a number of conditions, including the company and MTN MoMo receiving all required regulatory approvals and no-objections and complying with any regulatory conditions,” said MTN Uganda in notice.
Netflix has announced plans to invest more than €1 billion in Spanish film and television productions over the next four years, reinforcing its commitment to Spain as a key creative hub in Europe.
The announcement was made by co-chief executive Ted Sarandos at an event held at Netflix’s production studios near Madrid, celebrating the company’s 10-year presence in the country.
Sarandos emphasized that the investment would contribute significantly to Spain’s economy, create jobs, and enable the streaming platform to produce more local content. He was joined by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in unveiling the initiative.
Netflix first established its international production studios in Madrid in 2019, following the success of the Spanish-language hit series Money Heist.
Since then, its 22,000-square-meter facility has become one of Netflix’s major production centers within the European Union.
The company currently supports over 20,000 jobs in Spain, highlighting the nation’s growing influence in global entertainment.
The investment reflects Netflix’s ongoing strategy to expand its presence in European markets through original content and local talent.
China Expands Zero-Tariff Trade for Nigeria, 52 Other African Nations
Sterling Bank Pledges ₦2bn to Fully Fund University Scholarships
MTN Nigeria Unveils CPaaS Platform to Transform Business Communication
Aliko Dangote Signs out @ Dangote Sugar Refinery as Chairman
Court Declines Access Bank’s Request to Freeze MTNN Account over N180Bn Claims
General News2 days agoAfDB to Provide $184.1mfor Africa’s Largest Solar Energy, Battery Storage Project
News2 days agoReport Reveals New Malware Posing as an AI Assistant Steals User Data
General News2 days agoCourt Declines Access Bank’s Request to Freeze MTNN Account over N180Bn Claims
Telecom2 days agoMTN Mulls Establishment of Fintech Firm in Nigeria, Others
News2 days agoAliko Dangote Signs out @ Dangote Sugar Refinery as Chairman
E-Business2 days agoFG Mulls Fibre Optic Layout to Bridge Internet Gaps
E-Financial2 days agoFG to Train 100,000 Youths Annually in Forex Trading and Financial Skills
E-Financial1 day agoSterling Bank Pledges ₦2bn to Fully Fund University Scholarships