By Vera Samuel Anyagafu
The Indian government is set to forge a closer cooperation with Nigeria in a view to accelerating development of ICT sector that will eventually lead to the transformation of African economies.
According to a statement from the office of the Indian High Commission, Lagos, Africa is among the fastest growing markets worldwide, with improved macroeconomic indicators, conducive and business environment.
It said Africa equally presents a larger, younger and more affluent population, which are all strong indicators of not only a source of capital but also of job creation, skills development, technology transfer, infrastructure development, etc.
While detailing the relationship and commitment between India and African nations, the statement also noted that the Indian government has concluded plans to organise an Indo-Africa ICT Expo 2017 in conjunction with IT and Telecom organisations in Nigeria.
The Expo, according to the statement, will be a platform to building synergy among India and African Countries and will showcase innovative and diversified Products and Services as well as bring together, thought-leaders across the entire ICT value chain.
“Indo-Africa ICT Expo 2017 presents the latest technologies that will help companies in Africa to evolve and maintain a competitive edge in the Communications and digital world.
“IT and Telecom form the backbone for the growth of any country and Africa has been one of the fastest growing markets worldwide in ICT adoption and communication technology.
“The pivotal focus of the upcoming two-day international conference and exhibition, under the auspices of Indo-Africa relations, is being organised by the Telecom Equipment and Services Export Promotion Council (TEPC), an organisation set up by the government of India to promote and support export of telecom equipment and services.
“TEPC is working in conjunction with the National Association of Software and Service Companies, (NASSCOM), which is the premier trade body and the chamber of commerce of the IT-BPM industries in India. NASSCOM is a global trade body with more than 1,800 members, which include both Indian and multinational companies that have strong presence in India”, statement added.
The Expo which is scheduled to kick off from 6th September, 2017 at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos, is partnering industry associations in Nigeria, including the Information Technology Association of Nigeria (ITAN), Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) and the Association of Telecom Companies of Nigeria (ATCON).
Others in the partnership are the Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON), Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) as well as the Computer and Allied Products Dealers Association of Nigeria (CAPDAN).
Also expected at the event is the Nigeria Minister of Communications, Barrister Abdur-Raheem Adebayo Shittu who would be attending with a large presence of Nigerian ICT industry.
Similarly, Ghanaian Minister of Communications, Mrs. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful and Deputy, Mr. Vincent Sowah Odotei will also be at the event expected to expand cooperation in ICT sector.
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