The experts also harped on the strategies that are crucial for the sustainability of telecommunications infrastructure to fast-track the regions digital economy.

Speaking at the second edition of the West Africa Telecoms Infrastructure Summit and Exhibition (WATISE), with the theme: ‘Shaping the future of the telecoms infrastructure industry: Trends and Insights for a Digital Economy’ and organized by TechnologyMirror, an online telecoms news and information platform, held in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria, the experts x-rayed critical issues relating to the survival of the telecoms industry using the Nigerian market as a reference point.

Leading the conversation, Dr Aminu Maida, the executive vice chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), in his keynote address which was on the theme of WATISE 2.0, noted that the journey towards a digital economy has a future that is paved with immense possibilities and profound challenges noting that:

“How we navigate this path will determine the role Nigeria plays in the global digital landscape.”

Maida who was represented by Engr Victor Adoga, the head of Next Generation Technology and Standard at the NCC, described telecommunications infrastructure as the backbone of the digital economy, facilitating seamless connectivity and supporting a range of services from basic voice calls to high-speed internet and cloud computing.

He stated that the rapid growth of the digital economy demands robust, scalable, and secure telecommunications infrastructure disclosing that there are several key trends that are poised to shape the future of telecom infrastructure.

According to Maida, the rollout of 5G networks is a transformative trend in telecoms infrastructure saying that 5G promises significantly higher speeds, lower latency, and greater capacity, facilitating new applications such as IoT (Internet of Things), autonomous vehicles, smart cities and advanced augmented reality.

He listed other emerging trends affecting the deployment of telecoms infrastructure across the region as Internet of Things, Fiber Optic Expansion, Data Localisation and Security, Regulatory Frameworks, Cybersecurity and Energy Efficiency and Sustainability.

He however suggested that the telecoms operators must take consider strategic actions to stay in business saying that collaboration which is partnerships between government, industry, and academia can drive innovation and development.

He added that Innovative Financing Models, Investment in Human Capital, Focus on Sustainability, Integration with AI and Machine Learning and Developing Smart Infrastructure noting also as crucial investing in rural telecom infrastructure and making digital literacy a key component of our educational programs.

Still speaking on the theme of WATISE 2.0, Mr Chidi Ajuzie, the chief executive officer of WTES Projects Limited, who joined virtually from Ethiopia said there is deluge of connectivity from submarine cable landings linking Nigeria to Europe and rest of the world.

According to him, while there is no centrally managed national transmission backbone, licensed Operators have, over the years, built transmission networks to meet their own needs, often duplicated on most routes.

He disclosed that the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) has carried out a detailed study to characterize basic telephony and ICT gaps in the country, identifying 97 clusters with varying population densities and a cumulative population of about 27.91 million that suffer from significant connectivity services gaps. Digital broadband gap is even more, estimated at over 100 million population.

Ajuzie stated that to reap the benefits of broadband, there is need to close the clear gaps existing in the metro middle- and last-mile segments of the connectivity value chain. New Connectivity will be required to bridge the gaps and meet the National Broadband targets.

In fireside chat on ‘Enhancing Rural Connectivity: Strategies for Expanding Telecom Infrastructure’ Tinuade Oguntuyi, head of Network and Solutions at Information and Communications Services Limited (ICSL) said that that rural areas need better network services for proper communication and development.

Oguntuyi, who anchored the fireside chat urged the government to support network service providers to reach more rural places as they are also full of great potentials for the growth of the nation.

Also speaking, Ahmad Tijani, a local content ICT advocate commended Federal Government projects to connect the rural dwellers and harped on the need to carry the local government leaders along.

Tijani who represented Dr. Adebunmi Adeola Akinbo, national secretary ICTLOCA, cited the challenge of data gathering which can be sorted by the local government, calling on the grassroots to add value to the nation growth.

In his welcome address, Isaiah Erhiawarien, the convener of WATISE, said that the second edition was a step towards ensuring a reliable telecoms infrastructure for the region, and thanked the Nigerian Communications Commission, Open Access Data Nigeria Limited, Digital Realty, ICSL, HyperSpace Limited and OneData Limited for believing in the dream of the organisers.

Expected at the event is the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, the Director General of Nigerian Information and Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mr kashifu Inuwa, the Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ALTON), Engr Gbenga Adebayo and other stakeholders.

The event, which already has registered participants from Tunisia, Egypt, Republic of Benin will explore the abundant investment opportunities in the tech sector with the aim of attracting more investors into the sector.

Holding from October 3 to 4 at Oriental Hotel Lagos, it has as its theme: ‘The Future of Infrastructure, Connectivity and Services: A New Interdependent Ecosystem of Partners’, and it will bring together leading industry telcos and ICT players to learn, share, shape the industry and provide business networking opportunities.

Discussions will also x-ray market relevant digital transformation trends and development related with the telecom infrastructure such as Submarine, Connectivity, Security, Data center landscape Internet Xchange and Wholesale Digital Transformation.

Predominantly, there will be focus be on infrastructure and content and convene more than 200+ global companies in segments such as: Data/ Capacity, Submarine, Content Providers, Technology Providers, Internet Exchanges (IX), Security, Datacenters, Cloud, and other related segments.

Making the announcement of the upcoming event in Lagos, Isaiah Erhiawarien, Country Editor, TechnologyMirror, said the sub-regional forum will create opportunities for establishing strategic alliances and partnerships amongst local and foreign investors for the purpose of expanding ICT networks in Nigeria and West Africa.

In his words: “WATISE 2023 is expected to provide a platform for organisations to showcase emerging innovative products and solutions. Specifically, the forum will bring together ICT stakeholders, government, and foreign missions to x-ray and chart a new course for the future of Africa’s digital economy.

“Also, through this event, stakeholders are expected to actively engage the government and other relevant agencies to the widespread deployment of digital technology innovations across the continent.”

He highlighted that the event is an exclusive wholesale telecom operator and service provider gathering that will offer them opportunity to meet more than 300+ industry players from regional and international telecom operators, network with peers and eco partners in a private, relaxed, and exclusive community environment and join knowledge sharing executive panel sessions

Key industry players expected as participants at the summit are top and middle-level managers from Telecom operators; 4G service/solution providers; Telecom tower manufacturers; Policymakers and regulators; Power solution providers; 5G technology providers; Legal and management consultants; Civil contractors; Financial institutions; Renewable energy companies, etc.

WATISE, which already has the support of the telecoms regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is being organised by TechX Innovation Hub, a well-equipped Tech hub in Nigeria and TechnologyMirror, a leading technology news and information website and winner of the Best Startups Supportive Online Media, 2022.