Telecom
ICT Sector Accounts for Over $32 billion FDI Over the Last 15 Years- Shittu
Barrister Adebayo Shittu, Minister of Communication, over the weekend disclosed that Nigeria’s revolution in the ICT sector accounts for over $32 billion in foreign direct investment over the last 15 years.
The Minister noted that investments in infrastructure has produced an ICT backbone that powers various critical sectors of the economy such as Banking, E-commerce, Insurance, and Oil and Gas.
Speaking at the one-day conference themed ‘Africa-China Cooperation in ICT and Digital Economy’ in Abuja, organized by the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs in collaboration with the Embassy of China in Nigeria and Huawei Technologies Company (Nigeria) Limited, Shittu advocated the need for all stakeholders to strengthen the technology and innovation ecosystem.
He affirmed that the fortification and supporting the development of innovation hubs in partnership with the private sector will be beneficial to all.
“This conference provides the opportunity to jump-start the critical game-changing steps needed to make Nigeria’s objectives a reality in digital economy, he said
“Beyond this conference, we must work to strengthen relationships and knowledge management platforms towards building the better and more digital future that we seek.”
Lanre Osibona, Special Advisor on ICT to the Vice President, at the conference said that there is an urgent need to overcome challenges facing the nation to leveraging ICT to fuel the fourth industrial revolution that brings about digital economy.
According to him: “Africa must develop its skills. We must know how to scale workforce and move away from business base outsourcing to knowledge base outsourcing.
“Data is the future and new hope. For us as a country we must invest heavily in capturing data.”
Dr. Zhon Pingjian, Ambassador of China to Nigeria, on his part asserted that “China will continue to share its development opportunities with African countries and welcome them on board the train of China’s development.”
Tank Li, Managing Director, Huawei Technologies Nigeria, said a robust ICT infrastructure is the bedrock for digital transformation in Nigeria, and to unleash Digital Economy potentials in the country, issues of availability and affordability need to be addressed.
“In order to foster digital transformation of the economy, policies and programs to increase ICT infrastructure and ensure wide-spread coverage both in urban and rural areas should be prioritized to make voice and data services available.”
Li said “At the same time, strategic measures of infrastructure sharing, investment-friendly regulatory framework and preferential taxation policies are needed to reduce sites acquisition and broadband deployment costs in order to bring down the cost for users to really encourage application of ICT across the industries and the whole society.”
The conference featured discussions on policy issues with a view to propose a domestic approach to not only enhancing the strategic priority of ICT and penetration of fixed broadband, but also improving connectivity through cost-effective network deployment, and easing the development of local content such as e-commerce in accelerating economic growth.
A request by the stakeholders at the conference was made, for a framework and policies from the government that will foster broadband infrastructure development in Nigeria to help stimulate GDP growth.
A necessity to continue to collaborate with private sector and foreign investors that help to drive innovation for scaling ICT in Nigeria was also noted.
Digitization, widespread adoption of digital technologies and applications by Corporates, Government and Consumers, is beneficial for an emerging economy like Nigeria.
MTN Group announced plans to expand its footprint on the continent with a $10 billion investment by 2030.
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), which relayed the information, said the company will inject $2 billion annually as part of the initiative.
According to the ITU, MTN Group plans to use these funds to expand and enhance its voice and data networks, aiming to provide better coverage and connectivity for its customers.
The company sees these investments as key to driving digital inclusion and supporting economic growth in its key markets.
Sub-Saharan Africa, which accounts for 13 of MTN’s target markets, had 527 million unique mobile subscribers in 2023, with a penetration rate of 44%, according to the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSMA).
The region also had 320 million mobile internet subscribers, representing 27% of the population.
This digital divide presents opportunities for telecom operators.
The GSMA projects that the number of unique mobile subscribers in sub-Saharan Africa will reach 751 million by 2030, growing at an annual compound rate of 4.5% from 2023 to 2030.
Mobile internet subscribers are expected to increase to 518 million, with the mobile internet penetration rate reaching 37%, up from 27%.
However, the GSMA estimates that telecom operators will need to invest $62 billion in their networks over the period.
By gaining new subscribers, MTN hopes to solidify its position as “Africa’s largest mobile network operator.”
The company currently has around 230 million subscribers, competing with Vodacom (205 million), Airtel Africa (163.1 million), and Orange (160 million).
Despite focusing on infrastructure, MTN must also address challenges hindering the adoption of mobile phone and internet services.
According to the GSMA, one key obstacle is the high cost of smartphones, which makes them difficult to access for many people.
The GSMA encourages telecom operators to implement initiatives such as device financing plans, installment payment options, and affordable smartphones through partnerships with manufacturers.
Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) has called on the Nigerian Government to address policy gaps in the telecom sector to achieve digital inclusion and transformation.
Tony Emoekpere, president, ATCON, highlighted this during an interview on Tuesday with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
“The strategic plan for the Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy outlines a clear roadmap for the sector, emphasising digital transformation, economic diversification, and broadband expansion.
“One of the flagship policies driving the industry is the National Broadband Plan 2020-2025, which aims for 70 per cent broadband penetration by the end of 2025.
“While progress has been made, the latest data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) puts broadband penetration at 44.43 per cent as of December 2024.
“This is a reality check as we still have some distance to cover with less than a year to meet the target,” Emoekpere said
He commended the NCC for its transparency in publishing verifiable data, which he said is crucial for identifying and addressing gaps.
Emoekpere also praised reforms like Right of Way (RoW) policies and broadband infrastructure investment incentives, as well as the Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) protections aimed at reducing fibre cuts and vandalism.
However, he stressed the need for full implementation of these measures.
The ATCON president identified multiple taxation, high infrastructure costs, and vandalism as major barriers to progress.
He also emphasised the importance of broadband penetration as the backbone of digital inclusion, noting that without widespread, affordable internet access, even the best digital skills programs would have limited impact.
Emoekpere lauded the government’s plan to train 3 million digital professionals by 2027, calling it a forward-thinking initiative to equip Nigerians for the digital economy.
“For meaningful progress, we need aggressive infrastructure rollout, harmonised taxation, and stronger protection for telecom assets,” he said.
Telecom
9mobile Reinforces Innovation Leadership with Echoes, Its Trailblazing AI Storytelling Platform
9mobile, telecommunications provider in Nigeria, continues to push the boundaries of innovation with the introduction of Echoes, its AI-driven storytelling platform that seamlessly blends artificial intelligence with compelling narratives.
This groundbreaking initiative is designed to forge deeper connections with audiences, enhance brand affinity, boost engagement, and ignite conversations about Nigeria’s rich heritage and culture.
Echoes by 9mobile was born out of the brand’s commitment to celebrating Nigeria’s diverse history, myths, and true events. Through this initiative, the company seeks to educate, engage, and spark meaningful discussions, aligning perfectly with 9mobile’s youthful and dynamic identity.
Storytelling has long been a powerful medium of expression in Nigeria, and 9mobile leveraged this to resonate with its audience in an authentic and impactful way.
According to Director of Marketing at 9mobile Kenechukwu Okonkwo, “As a proudly Nigerian brand, we were deliberate about sharing rich Nigerian stories; capturing facts, myths, and true events that form the fabric of our identity.
“Many of these stories have been forgotten or lost as our cultures evolve. With Echoes, we step away from the Eurocentric narratives that dominate mainstream media and instead celebrate Nigerian stories, told by Nigerians, for Nigerians.”
He further explained that 9mobile carefully curated stories that matter to its audience, stories of resilience, ambition, culture, and everyday life deeply rooted in Nigeria’s history. The initial edition featured iconic locations such as Kajuru Castle, Idanre Hills, and Ogbunike Cave, with later episodes covering historical figures and events like King Eyo Honesty II and Igbo Landing.
Each story underwent meticulous research, AI-assisted scripting, and precise editing to ensure both engagement and alignment with 9mobile’s core values. These stories were then distributed in various formats, including creative Shorts, Reels, TikTok clips, and social media posts across X (Twitter), Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.
While AI played a crucial role in bringing this project to life, 9mobile ensured its ethical and responsible use.
“We prioritized accuracy and cultural sensitivity, ensuring that each narrative remained a true representation of historical accounts. Additionally, there was no data gatekeeping; audiences could access these stories without restrictions,” Okonkwo emphasized.
The Echoes campaign quickly gained traction, sparking discussions, encouraging user engagement, and strengthening the emotional bond between 9mobile and Nigerian youth.
The initiative amassed over a million views across various channels, reached more than 6.3 million people, and recorded over 7.8 million impressions. As a testament to its innovation, 9mobile was honoured with the “Best Use of AI” award at the prestigious ADVAN Awards.
Commenting on this achievement, 9mobiles Chief Executive Officer, Obafemi Banigbe, stated: “We are thrilled to receive this recognition, which reaffirms our commitment to innovation and customer-centricity. Echoes is a game-changer in the telecom industry, and we take pride in leading AI-driven innovation in Nigeria.”
The launch of Echoes marks a significant milestone for 9mobile, reinforcing its leadership in leveraging technology to drive business growth and enhance customer satisfaction.
This initiative cements 9mobile’s position as a pioneer in AI adoption within the telecommunications sector, further strengthening its commitment to delivering world-class services.
9mobile’s legacy of AI-driven solutions extends beyond Echoes. In 2020, the company introduced Enin’, Nigeria’s first AI-enabled chatbot developed by a telecom provider. This intelligent virtual assistant revolutionized customer service, allowing users to purchase airtime, subscribe to data plans, access exclusive offers, receive notifications, manage subscriptions, and even connect with live agents seamlessly.
As 9mobile continues to push the boundaries of AI-driven innovation, its dedication to enhancing user experiences and redefining engagement remains stronger than ever.
Senate Votes to Compel Facebook, Others to Open Offices in Nigeria
Google to Buy Cybersecurity Company Wiz for $32Bn
MTN Group to Invest $10Bn in African Expansion by 2030
ATCON Calls for Telecom Policy Improvements in Nigeria
9mobile Reinforces Innovation Leadership with Echoes, Its Trailblazing AI Storytelling Platform
General News3 days agoJumia Nigeria Kicks Off Tech Week 2025
Telecom3 days agoBridging Nigeria’s Digital Divide: ITU and UK-FCDO Fuel Rural Connectivity Revolution
E-Financial3 days agoSEC Voids Mainland Trust’s Registration, Suspends Centurion Registrars
E-Business3 days agoNITDA Expands iHATCH Initiative to Drive Job Creation, Economic Diversification
Telecom2 days agoFG to Launch $2Bn Fibre Network Project in Q4 2025
Telecom3 days agoTransforming Lives Through Advocacy: Princess Omoyemwen Inspires Change at MTN’s Go MAD Activation in Benin
Telecom2 days agoMTN’s Earnings Hammered by Free Falling Naira in Nigeria
E-Business2 days agoFG Partners Cyberpedia to Fight Misinformation with AI