Stakeholders in Nigeria’s Information Communications Technology sector have stressed the need for public-private partnerships to improve the country’s digital infrastructure.
The Managing Director of the Anambra State ICT Agency, Chukwuemeka Agbata, stated this assertion during a stakeholders meeting in Lagos recently.
Digital infrastructure refers to the physical and virtual systems that support digital technologies and services, including telecommunications networks, data centres, and cybersecurity systems.
According to Agbata, collaboration between the government and private sector is the driving force behind its success in digital infrastructure development in the state.
“Partnerships as this enable progress in areas like digital infrastructure without placing the full burden on government resources, making them a vital part of modern governance,” he mentioned.
He stated that Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo’s decision to waive Right of Way charges was instrumental in attracting investors and enhancing ease of business in the state.
The move, he noted, followed the examples set by Lagos and Kaduna States.
The waiver of RoW charges, Agbata said, significantly boosted connectivity and economic growth in Anambra State.
RoW charges are fees paid by companies to the government or property owners for the privilege of accessing and using the land for their infrastructure.
These charges can be a significant cost factor in the development and expansion of digital infrastructure, particularly in rural or underserved areas.
Similarly, Lagos State’s Commissioner for Innovation, Science, and Technology, Olatubosun Alake, agreed on the need for stakeholder consultation and advocacy in driving digital infrastructure development.
The commissioner urged companies to establish their codes of conduct to ensure smooth interactions with government and legislative bodies.
According to Alake, ease of doing business is critical in attracting investors, as it determines whether an investor will engage.
He urged private sector companies to establish their codes of conduct to ensure seamless interactions with government and legislative bodies.