By Theresa Igata

The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry has called on the government to consider Public-Private-Partnership to mobilise the needed investments necessary to provide critical infrastructures while also providing conducive policy environment where ICT businesses can thrive.

The call was made at the official unveiling of the 2017 Information and Communication Technology, ICTEL expo in Lagos organised by the LCCI with the theme: the digital economy- Strategies for growth in a connected world.

Speaking at the event, the President of the chamber, Nike Akande alluded to the fact that the ICT sector has continued to drive entrepreneurship, innovation and sustainable business model in Nigeria and beyond and as such, should be given the needed attention.

According to her one of such avenues to promote the use of ICTs for development and opportunities inherent in the sector is the ICTEL expo which will provide a platform that will unite all players in the Nigerian ICT space towards a greater contribution of ICT to the national and economic development.

“Technology-backed service delivery and mobile payment solutions have transformed the way we do businesses today and the ICTEL, expo is a veritable platform to explore new technology possibilities and trends”, she said.

For the Chairman Trade Promotion Board of the Chamber, Sola Oyetayo, the expo which is scheduled for the 25th-27th of July 2017, is a veritable platform to address and discuss trends in the ICT sector and an overview of government’s policies and how businesses within the sector have been impacted by these policies.

“Best practices in the ICT regulations would also form a critical part of the discourse at the various side events and with such a theme; it will lead to discourses towards a greater contribution of ICT development in Nigeria”

Oyetayo added that the digital economy now directs the way we do business and we cannot talk about technology without mentioning the youths who are the key drivers of these technologies which they’re being exposed to on daily basis, which according to him is why “one of the highpoints of this year’s event is the inclusion of coding as part of the activities to be undertaken by select participants between the ages 10-18. We want to bring them together to inspire and encourage them. It is better we catch them young now as coders and developers.

He however also called for more stakeholders’ participation at the event as this will create an avenue for employment where various participants will look to opportunities within the sector.

The 3 day event is in collaboration with the Federal ministry of Communication, Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, NCC, NITDA and other relevant stakeholders in the sector.