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Nigeria eyes fresh broadband investment with ITU global campaign

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is hoping to woo fresh investors to the country’s broadband sub-sector with the participation at this year’s International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Telecom World 2017 programme.

NCC Boss, Umar Garba Danbatta

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is hoping to woo fresh investors to the country’s broadband sub-sector with the participation at this year’s International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Telecom World 2017 programme.
  
The event, which is due to hold in Busan, South Korea, from September 25 – 28, is expected to help push Nigeria’s match towards the enthronement of 30 per cent broadband Internet penetration by 2018.
  
Extensive Internet access is expected to bolster economic growth in the country by creating opportunities for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), and entrepreneurs to develop their businesses. While boosting the country’s digital economy drive, it will also aid jobs creation among other social benefits.

Already, the World Bank has found othat an increase of 10 per cent in broadband penetration would increase the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita growth by 0.9 to1.5 per cent, especially in emerging economies such as Nigeria.
  
Expectedly, the Nigerian delegation will be led by Minister of Communications, Barrister Adebayo Shittu. Nigeria’s Chief Telecoms Regulator and Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, industry stakeholders and operators will be on the delegation.
  
The ITU Telecom World 2017 is a global platform for major industry players, SMEs, countries and organisations to network and share ideas about new developments and technologies that would lead to better connected societies.
  
It is an event for international visibility of innovative Information and Communications Technology (ICT), products/services and solutions from around the world.A statement from NCC’s spokesman, Tony Ojobo, said in general terms, it involves high level debates on the core issues affecting ICT industry, sharing knowledge and working for sustainable development.
  
Although Nigeria has had a very robust telecommunications sector with active connected subscribers in the region of 150 million and about 110 per cent tele-density, the NCC believes that more efforts should be deployed to deepen broadband penetration.
   
By the National Broadband Plan, NBP (2013 – 2018), the country is expected to attain 30 per cent broadband penetration by 2018, which currently stands at 21 per cent.Nigeria will host an investment forum at ITU Telecom World 2017 and Broadband Nigeria will be at the focus of discussions.
 

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