By Chinenye Anuforo
The Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) has called on the federal government to involve indigenous companies in the implementation of its ambitious 90,000-kilometer national fibre optic project.
ATCON President, Mr. Tony Emoekpere, while emphasising the importance of local content in the telecom sector, said; “We believe that involving local companies in this critical project will not only boost the Nigerian economy but also significantly reduce the cost of telecommunications services for consumers”.
He highlighted that increased local participation would stimulate the growth of local players in the industry while fostering a more competitive and sustainable telecoms market.
“By encouraging local manufacturing of certain equipment, we can significantly lower operational costs and ultimately benefit Nigerian consumers,” he added.
The ATCON President also expressed optimism about the potential for significant growth in the Nigerian telecom sector this year. However, he stressed the importance of a comprehensive review of telecommunications tariffs to address existing challenges and attract further investment. “A revised tariff structure will not only make the sector more attractive to investors but also improve service quality for our citizens,” Emoekpere noted.
The federal government, under the leadership of Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, approved a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to spearhead the deployment of 90,000 kilometers of fibre optic cable across the country. This ambitious project, supported by the World Bank and significant government funding, is expected to commence this year.
The Minister has emphasised that the project will not only significantly enhance internet connectivity across Nigeria, increasing penetration to over 70%, but also drastically reduce internet access costs by over 60%. Furthermore, it is anticipated to boost GDP by up to 1.5% per capita, contributing to a substantial economic uplift for the nation.