The Federal Government says its Communications and Digital services regulatory bodies are operating a developmental approach to enable economic stimulation and sustainability.
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Pantami stated this at the ECOWAS Digital Economy Regional Conference in Abuja.
Professor Pantami said the Communications regulatory bodies were adopting such an approach to ensure businesses are afloat thereby protecting investors and fortifying the nation’s economy.
The Communications Minister explained that with the establishment of the National Information Technology Infrastructure Backbone, the nation’s broadband penetration put at over 50 percent is one of the highest on the African Continent.
The World Bank Country Representative in Nigeria, Mr Shuban Chadhoury commended the efforts of the Federal Government in utilizing the diverse opportunities in the Digital Service sector and called on other countries in the region to emulate the country.
Representatives from the Public and private Communications sector of various West African nations called for synergy in protecting telecom infrastructure from vandalism and multiple taxation.
Discussants on a panel called for concerted efforts by West African nations to support start ups, innovators, and inventors as a means of placing Africa at the prime of the global ICT sector.
Reporting by Olayemi Daniyan, editing Daniel Adejo