The minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, along with other critical stakeholders in the industry, will be brainstorming on ways to tackle the challenges of telecoms infrastructure affecting the growth of the region’s digital economy.
They will converge at the maiden edition of the West Africa Telecoms Infrastructure Summit and Exhibition (WATISE) in Lagos.
Discussions will 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.
Country editor, TechnologyMirror, Isaiah Erhiawarien, in a press statement issued on Thursday, 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.
“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,” Erhiawarien disclosed.
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.
“Other stakeholders are the executive vice chairman, NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, the director general of Nigerian Information and Technology Development Agency, (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, the chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ALTON), Engr. Gbenga Adebayo and other stakeholders.
“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,” Erhiawarien averred.