The ninth annual Information, Communication, Technology, and Telecommunications (ICTEL) Expo was held on Tuesday, July 25 and Wednesday, July 26, at the Landmark Center, Victoria Island Lagos. Organized by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), it brought together representatives from across IT, telecommunications, contemporary tech, and industry regulators. Figures from the private and public sectors gathered to deliberate on current issues related to the evolution of Nigeria’s information technology ecosystems.
Read more about Business
This year’s edition of the ICTEL Expo had the theme, Tech Disrupt: Transforming Industries with Innovation. Accordingly, presentations and panel sessions at the two-day event revolved around leveraging perpetual tech-driven disruptions to plot a path to a bolder and brighter future for the Nigerian economy.
The LCCI President’s Speech
In his address, LCCI President Dr Michael Olawale-Cole underscored the importance of the technology sector for developing a dynamic commercial and entrepreneurial landscape, one which could help the country on a positive growth course.
“The digital economy or the internet economy enables and supports various business, social and government activities through electronic commerce, lifestyle apps, and e-government platforms, respectively. By this, the digital economy is considered the single most important driver of innovation, competitiveness, and growth,”
he explained.
He further said that the LCCi, as a body which promotes MSMEs, was willing to support the government’s push for a digitally enabled economy. He called on the government to fashion policies that would encourage innovation and the emergence of vibrant tech space.
“We are pleased to announce our collaboration with credible institutions like the federal Ministry of Communications and digital economy, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the National Information Technology Development Agency, (NITDA) and others,”
Dr. Olawale-Cole said.
”I use this opportunity to urge the government at various levels to formulate policies that create a vibrant innovation ecosystem that support the deployment of more technology and the creation of more jobs in the technology sectors.”
The Opening Remarks from the NCC
Meanwhile, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, emphasized the role played by the commission in ensuring an enabling environment for telecom businesses and other players in the broader technology space.
Sign up for the Connect Nigeria daily newsletter
“In line with our plan, we recognize that the rapid pace of technological advancement is disrupting industries across the globe,”
he said.
“Nigeria is no exception. Our vision is rooted in the belief that embracing this disruption and fostering innovation will propel our nation toward sustainable growth, economic diversification, and enhanced living standards for all Nigerians”.
The EVC, who was represented by Mr Alkasim Umar, Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau of NCC, noted that the commission for deploying the power of ICT for the good of Nigeria.
“The 4th Industrial Revolution synonymous with the advent of the internet is driven by information and Communications Technology (ICT) and this is fundamentally changing all aspects of our lives and reshaping economic, social, and cultural paradigms across the world,”
he said.
“Our Strategic Vision Plan (2021 – 2025), a roadmap for the future, guides our efforts to harness this power and drive positive change in Nigeria.”
Startup Pitches
As part of the ICTEL Expo, 5 selected startups got to pitch their products and services to a panel of judges, and in the presence of the audience. These finalists were selected through a screening process from a pool of over 100 applicants. They were Nguvu Health (HealthTech), Oncopadi (HealthTech), Babs.ai (EdTech), GetEquity (FinTech), and HelpAI.
Register to attend the CN Business Mixer
The judges who were called upon to evaluate the pitches at the ICTEL Expo were Hakeem Onasanya, Head of Startups, Lagos Innovates; Akinbo Akin-Olugbade, Managing Director, Kawai Technologies; and Ifedi Ralph Eze, Managing Director, Founder Institute, Lagos.
Besides these, there were also multiple panel sessions in which experts and seasoned professionals from the Nigerian IT industry discussed burning issues in the space. A number of firms also took advantage of the expo to launch solutions. And outside of the meeting arena, a range of exhibitors representing leading technology companies, startups, and public sector organizations, showcased their products and services to the event’s attendees.
Featured Image Source: ICTEL EXPO
Got a suggestion? Contact us: editor@connectnigeria.com
The ICTEL Expo served as a platform for stakeholders to discuss and strategize on leveraging technology disruptions for the benefit of the Nigerian economy. It highlighted the importance of innovation wordle and collaboration in driving growth in the digital age.
Join the Wordle craze and see if you can uncover the mystery word in just six attempts. Wordle nyt
The ICTEL Expo conference taking place this year mainly mentions and introduces a wordle lot many technology products. I believe that after this exhibition, ICTEL Expo will promote the technology field to a new level.
The ICTEL Expo 2023 showcased the vital role of technology in Nigeria’s economic growth. As we embrace innovation, similar to how the Papa’s Pizzeria game has transformed mobile gaming, we must leverage tech disruptions to foster entrepreneurship. Collaboration between government and tech institutions is crucial for creating a robust digital economy. Let’s continue to advocate for policies that empower innovation and job creation in the tech sector!
This recap of the ICTEL Expo 2023 is very insightful. It’s great to see the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry driving such important discussions on Nigeria’s digital economy and tech innovation. The emphasis on supporting MSMEs and creating a vibrant tech ecosystem is exactly what the country needs right now. If anyone is looking for a fun break from tech news, check out my favorite basketball simulation game, 82-0, here: https://82-0.live/ – it’s a blast to build a roster and aim for a perfect season!