Nigerian telecom records increase in national broadband penetration, contributes to GDP
The Chairman, MTN Nigeria Communications PLC, Dr Ernest Ndukwe, OFR has explained the opportunities of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) on the African continent.
Ndukwe disclosed this in a keynote session at the African Continental Free Trade Area Strategy Workshop held on Friday, November 20, 2020.
The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) had already been predicted as a huge economic potential to raise global income levels and improve the quality of life for populations around the world.
Explaining more on the opportunities presented by the Fourth Industrial Revolution in Africa, Ernest Ndukwe declared that the revolution represents a unique opportunity for African countries to leapfrog over-development hurdles with the help of technology. Not forgetting the role that telecommunication companies play in the acceleration of the Fourth Industrial Revolution in Africa.
Echoing the effort of MTN, Ndukwe expressed how MTN Nigeria is taking the lead on this course by saying that the Nigerian telecommunications industry in 2020 recorded an increase in National Broadband penetration, contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Traffic, Radio Latency, and others; and that MTN is leading on the tripartite levers for fourth Industrial Revolution acceleration, which include Pervasive Broadband through advances in 5G, the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), amongst other categories.
It was said that through innovations in these areas, the telecommunications company is at the forefront of enabling transformation through secure, high-speed connectivity and cloud solutions.
However, the MTN boss highlighted other drivers of the fourth Industrial Revolution on the African continent apart from telecommunications companies.
He said that African policymakers and regulators would need to use a “united vision to seize opportunities as well as create incentives for technology adoption in national priority sectors like agriculture and energy.” He expounded on the roles of Business Associations, which include raising awareness and providing information about the potential and markets for technologies while also increasing investments in training. Ndukwe concluded that development partners would need to “finance projects on the impact of the 4IR on African economies and societies, support the creation of regional R&D centres and foster linkages with R&D centres.”
RECOMMENDED ARTICLES
Comment
No comments found.