Nigeria’s satellite system operator, NIGCOMSAT, has highlighted the importance of digital solutions for Africa’s development, as the continent aims to harness technology to drive economic growth.
NIGCOMSAT’s Managing Director, Nkechi Egerton-Idehen, stated this in a presentation she made at the 9th African Leadership Magazine Summit in London, obtained by The PUNCH on Monday.
The event, themed “Africa Unleashed: Navigating Disruptions, Enhancing Opportunity,” brought together African leaders to discuss significant milestones and future strategies.
MD Egerton-Idehen reviewed historical development programmes, noting their mixed outcomes and the issues they encountered.
She mentioned initiatives, such as the Colonial Development and Welfare Acts, the United Nations Development Programme, and the Millennium Development Goals, emphasising their often top-down approach and lack of local involvement.
“Many programmes were based on scarcity and comparison to Western standards. We must harness our strengths and use technology to develop solutions that fit our unique context,” Egerton-Idehen said.
The NIGCOMSAT chief underscored Africa’s potential to bypass traditional development phases through technology, given its youthful population and minimal legacy infrastructure.
She highlighted the potential of emerging technologies, such as AI, blockchain, and cybersecurity to transform various sectors.
NIGCOMSAT, a Nigerian government-owned satellite company, operates a geostationary satellite covering most of sub-Saharan Africa and plans to launch another in the coming years.
The company aims to enhance connectivity and foster a digital economy across the continent.
“We are dedicated to bridging the digital divide and promoting inclusive growth,” Egerton-Idehen noted. “Technology can empower remote and underserved areas, creating new economic opportunities.”
She called for collaboration to build an “Africa for now”, capable of navigating current disruptions and future opportunities.
She thanked African Leadership Magazine for providing a platform to share her vision.
NIGCOMSAT recently partnered with Hotspot Network Limited to expand internet accessibility for more communities across Nigeria.
The strategic collaboration aims to deploy cutting-edge satellite technology and innovative connectivity solutions to remote and rural areas that have traditionally lacked internet access.
According to the firm, the joint initiative between it and Hotspot will commence immediately, with plans to roll out the first phase of the project in select rural areas within the next six months.
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