Public-Private Partnerships for Infrastructure Development: Insights from Anambra and Lagos States

At the Hyperscalers Convergence Africa Conference held recently at the Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos, leading experts in technology and infrastructure development convened to discuss regulatory frameworks for fostering digital infrastructure in Africa.

Among the distinguished panelists were the Honorable Commissioner for Innovation, Science, and Technology, Lagos State, Olatubosun Alake, and the Managing Director/CEO of the Anambra State ICT Agency, Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata, who shared insights from their respective states on the journey so far.

In his remarks, Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata, CFA, highlighted Anambra’s success story through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), particularly in digital infrastructure development.

He noted that Governor Charles Soludo’s initiative to waive Right of Way (RoW) charges was pivotal in attracting investors and enhancing ease of business, following the examples set by Lagos and Kaduna.

“Governor Soludo’s decision to waive RoW charges significantly boosted connectivity and economic growth in the state,” CFA said.

“Government is financially burdened, so we have focused on collaborating with local partners to connect our services.

For the first time, we now have a civil service with access to the internet – another successful example of PPP in action.”

A major component of the state’s digital transformation strategy has been leveraging partnerships with local businesses to foster digital access across government institutions.

CFA emphasized that such collaborations were critical for states, not just Anambra, as efficient resource management is key to meeting diverse governance priorities.

“Partnerships as this enable progress in areas like digital infrastructure without placing the full burden on government resources, making them a vital part of modern governance”. He concluded.

Olatubosun Alake, Lagos State’s Commissioner for Innovation, Science, and Technology, highlighted the importance of stakeholder consultation and advocacy, particularly when engaging the private sector.

He urged companies to establish their own codes of conduct to ensure smooth interactions with the government and legislative bodies, which play a critical role in reforms aimed at fostering ease of doing business.

“Ease of doing business is pivotal because it determines whether an investor will engage,” Alake said.

He also emphasized the importance of qualified personnel in civil service sectors and advocated for competitive pay packages to ensure optimal service delivery.

Other distinguished panelists included Dr. Ayotunde Coker, Chairman, Africa Data Centres Association; Tony Izuagbe Emoekpere, President, Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria; and Douglas Njenga, Director of Regulatory Affairs and Special Projects, WIOCC Group. The session was moderated by Sade Dada, Public Policy Manager for Anglophone West Africa at Meta.

The discussions underscored the importance of regulatory frameworks, partnerships, and targeted reforms in driving digital infrastructure development across Nigeria and the African continent.