Considering the fact that India and Nigeria have some striking similarities in terms of colonialism, manpower, both countries have slums that you can’t help but notice, India, as much as Nigeria has been struggling with its large population and somewhat poor economy. Over the years, both nations have also seen a growth in technology and a more willing society embracing the new generation and changes that come with it. Also, since the independence of Nigeria in 1960, both countries have formed a strong relationship making India one of Nigeria’s top market for oil exportation.
Indian companies have invested heavily in Nigeria in manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, plastics, engineering, information technology and communications for years now, and in order to strengthen the existing relationship between both nations, India has reportedly proposed that both nations work together to grow the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) with a view to boosting both countries’ economies through greater penetration and use of advanced technologies and services.
Reports have it that In a personal letter to Adebayo Shittu, Nigerian Minister of Communications, the Indian Minister of State for Communications, Manoj Sinha, specifically wrote that; “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.”
To emphasize “the relationship and commitment between India and African countries, the Government of India has proposed to host the 3rd edition of Indo-Africa ICT Expo 2017 in conjunction with IT and Telecom Summit- Manoj Sinha
To emphasize “the relationship and commitment between India and African countries, the Government of India has proposed to host the 3rd edition of Indo-Africa ICT Expo 2017 in conjunction with IT and Telecom Summit,” a two-day day international conference and exhibition, under the auspices of Indo-Africa relations, at the Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, being organized by the Telecom Equipment and Services Export Promotion Council (TEPC), an India organization set-up to promote and support export of telecom equipment and services.
He reportedly stated: “I request your ministry along with ICT departments to be partner for the event which would bring together over 100 ICT companies from India and many more from ICT sector from Africa and attract over 2000 visitors.”
Barrister Shittu on his part is said to have praised the idea of the Indo-Africa ICT conference and promised Nigeria’s cooperation and participation; “We are delighted about the idea of this event, and from Nigeria we will put in our best to ensure the program comes out very well,” he said, adding that India and Nigeria share a lot in common, and ICT currently being very topical globally, it is in the interest of both countries to pool resources to deliver results for their common people.
The event is also said to include an ICT Ministers’ Roundtable Meeting scheduled for September 6, with the theme ‘Digital Vision of the Developing Nations,” this meeting will allow ministers share ICT visions of their countries over the next five years, showcasing partnership opportunities that such vision would bring to the industry for the two regions.
For the ICT event, TEPC is reportedly working with National Association of Software and Service Companies, (NASSCOM), a global trade body with more than 1800+ members, which include both Indian and multinational companies, it is also in partnership with the Information Technology Association of Nigeria (ITAN), Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Association of Telecom Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON), Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) and the Computer and Allied Products Dealers Association of Nigeria (CAPDAN).
To speak at the event, ITAN President, Mr Tayo Adeniyi, ALTON Chairman, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, ATCON President, Engr. Olusola Teniola, among others have been listed from Nigeria, while from India, speakers include Mr. Shyamal Ghosh, Chairman of TEPC, Sanjay Nayak, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director at Tejas Networks,
Other speakers from India include; Mr. M Soundarakumar, Director, Centre for Development of Telematics, Bangalore, Shivendra Singh, Vice President and Head of Global Trade Development at National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM), and Mr. Rajesh Tuli, Managing Director of Coral Telecom, Mr. Rajesh K. Pathak, Director Telecom Centre of Excellence (TCOE) and Deputy Director General (International Cooperation) at Department of Telecommunications, as well as Mr. Rakesh K. Bhatnagar, the Director-General of the TEPC, with a host of experience in telecom regulation having been advisor to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).