Nigerian Communications Commission moves to promote local content in tech ecosystem

The Nigerian Communications Commission has restated the government’s commitment towards promoting local content in the country through the development of digital skills among start-ups in tertiary institutions.
The commission made this commitment in Lagos during the maiden edition of Emerging Technologies Consultative and ICT Innovation Forum.
The Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umaru Garba Danbatta gave this assurance. He noted that the ICT innovation Forum has become necessary to promote local content with an emphasis on the tech ecosystem, identifying unmet needs and facilitate Public Private Partnership.
Quoting him:
“With the growing pressure of globalization, every government, as well as captains of industries, is charged with the burden of finding ways to ensure that we remain competitive and capable of fulfilling local demand.”
“Not only that. But given the wide availability of information technology to serve markets the world over, it is imperative that the right frameworks be developed to enhance the ability of indigenous companies to maximally explore and exploit local opportunities, as well as remain globally competitive.”
According to Danbatta, it had become expedient for them to unlock new services and sources of value generation and revenue streams in their operations. Hence, mobile network operators have developed infrastructure to support voice services and access to data.
He added that the commission, in its effort to encourage tech entrepreneurship and innovation in the ICT sector, has embarked on visitation to various tech start-ups across the six geopolitical zones to assess their development and challenges.
Also, Danbatta pointed out that the commission intends to assist the various tech hubs with the right regulatory intervention to ease their operations.
Furthermore, the Director, Research and Development at NCC, Ephraim Nwokonneya, said the NCC would be giving grants to universities to enhance digital skills and promote local content among start-ups.