Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Guardian Nigeria
Published on 2024-02-21 04:05:16
To improve the information and communications technology (ICT) sector and to achieve the administration’s target, President Bola Tinubu has been urged to champion local content development in the sector. At the last count, the ICT sector contributed close to 20 per cent to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), largely driven by the activities of the telecoms sector. Technology leaders strongly believe that with improved local content drive, the figure could increase.
The need for more investments and a reduction in bureaucracy was one of the main topics of discussion at the Technology Times Thought Leadership Series (TTTLS), titled “President Tinubu’s Digital Economy Vision: Local Tech Content as Catalyst.” Several prominent tech leaders gathered to discuss strategies for driving local content development in the ICT sector and ways the government can create at least one million jobs and grow the economy.
The discussion was led by experts like Sir. Chima Onyekwere, the Founder of Linkserve Limited; Dotun Adeoye, Co-Founder of AI Nigeria; Tony Emoekpere, President of ATCON; Dr. T Sulaiman, MD/CEO of Nigtel Nigeria; and Inye Kemabonta, CEO of Tech Law Development Services. The experts highlighted the importance of local content in technology and the need for companies within the country to develop, produce, and implement technology products, services, and solutions.
The experts also analyzed local participation in the communication and business sectors, emphasizing the need for more local participation and ownership. However, they also pointed out that challenges exist in providing necessary services that local content relies on, and that policies meant to stimulate implementation often remain as mere pronouncements without necessary action to drive them forward.
Several recommendations were made to President Tinubu and the government, including the need to do away with bureaucracy in meeting officials, copying technology, providing access to funds, and establishing quality standards and a market environment. They also stressed the importance of creating a standard for the quality of products in the ICT sector and encouraging angel investors’ networks in every state across the country.
The conversation also touched on the importance of government involvement in nurturing local tech capacity through public procurement and the need for clear and effective government policy and public-private partnerships to address the challenges faced by innovative-minded individuals within and outside the country.
The experts highlighted the crucial importance of understanding local content within the global trade context and emphasized the need for the government to spend its resources directly in building local capacity in the ICT sector. They also pointed out the need for a more Public-Private Partnership (PPP) oriented approach and for the government to specify the aspect and type of jobs created as part of its digital economy policy.
Overall, the conversation focused on the need for more investments, the reduction of bureaucracy, and the development of local content in the ICT sector to achieve the administration’s targets and drive the growth of the economy. The experts outlined several strategic recommendations for the government to achieve its goals and stressed the importance of prioritizing local content in technology to create jobs and solve problems.
