Explore PPP for investments in ICT, LCCI urges FG

The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has urged the Federal Government to explore Public/Private/Partnership for investments to bridge infrastructure gap in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector.

The LCCI President, Mrs Nike Akande, made the appeal on Thursday in Lagos during the unveiling of the Information, Communication Technology and Telecommunications (ICTEL) EXPO 2017.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that ICTEL EXPO is the chamber’s specialised annual exhibition where global ICT trends and government policies are discussed.NAN reports that the EXPO also offers diverse business and investment opportunities.

According to Akande, bridging infrastructure gap and creating favourable policies will provide a conducive environment for ICT business.

“The ICT sector can contribute more to our national development, if needed infrastructure and policies are in place,’’ she said.

Akande added that ICT drove entrepreneurship, innovation and sustainable business model in Nigeria and beyond, with technology-backed service delivery and mobile payment solutions.

She said that the 2017 ICTEL EXPO,to hold from July 25 to July 27 in Lagos, would have the theme “The Digital Economy: Strategies for Growth in a Connected World”.

The LCCI president said that the EXPO would provide a platform to unite ICT players for greater contribution to national development.

Mr Sola Oyetayo, the Chairman, LCCI Trade Promotions Board, said that the EXPO would explore avenues to unlock potential within the sector so as to project future growth.

Mr Adebisi Shonubi, Managing Director, Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System, said that ICTEL EXPO was a veritable platform for providing linkages and opportunities to the depths of talents exhibited by many Nigerian youths.

He said that the EXPO would connect the capabilities of youths and create opportunities for them to take the country’s economic transformation to the next level.