…Pivot future of work, business growth, content development on digital connectivity
There was a groundswell of opinion that improved connectivity
has enhanced individual and corporate activities that are bolstering
socio-economic development in Nigeria.
The discussants particularly identified the critical role
which digital connectivity is playing and will continue to play in shaping the
future of work and the development of commercial activities in the country.
At a panel discussion, titled: “Bridging the African Digital
Economy Gap,” discussants examined, in great depth and perspectives, how
digital economy gap can be addressed in Nigeria and across Africa towards
supporting business owners to sustainably grow global brands emerging from the
African continent.
Also, at a panel discussion on “Future of Work: Exploring
Pathways to Careers in the Digital Age,” panelists emphasised the transformational
role digital connectivity is playing in bringing about efficient work
environment, virtual collaboration at the work place, mobile work as well as
remote work, thus replacing the hitherto brick and mortar business model,
especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Formerly known as Social Media Week Lagos, now rebranded
AfricaNXT, the conference and festival is one of the largest technology events
in Africa, with a gathering of business owners, innovators, technology
enthusiasts and regulators, to discuss and network on how Africa can take its
befitting place in the emerging global digital economy.
Already, the NCC delegation has arrived the venue of the
event in high spirit ready to participate in the various panel sessions ahead
of the main NCC panel session on Fifth Generation Deployment scheduled to take
place on Thursday, March 3, 2022.
The panel session to be constituted by senior staff of NCC,
on various regulatory aspects of 5G being driven by the NCC to deepen digital
connectivity, will be a forum to educate hundreds of participants expected at
the NCC panel session.
There are indications of enthusiasm about the NCC discourse
and participants seem ready to use the opportunity to deepen their
understanding of the new technology.
Over the years, NCC has put in place an effective regulatory
regime that has continued to make the country witness increase in its Internet
penetration and usage of digital media.
As at December 2021, active mobile Internet subscriptions
reached over 141 million, active mobile (voice) subscriptions stood at 195.4
million, broadband penetration has reached 40.88 per cent while digital economy
access gaps identified by the Commission are being drastically reduced to
ensure saturated Internet connectivity across the country.
Besides, the Commission has facilitated deployment of
emerging technologies from the a First
Generation (1G), to 2G, 3G and 4G-LTE, and is vigorously driving deployment of
5G network in the country with the recent auction of 3.5 gigahertz (Ghz)
spectrum licences to operators that will deploy 5G technology in the country.
Also, NCC is driving effective implementation of the
National Digital Economy Policy & Strategy (NDEPS), 2020-2030, and the
Nigerian National Broadband Plan (NNBP) 2020-2025 to actualize the laudable
targets of deepening broadband penetration, reducing cost of broadband
services, and improving digital literacy and skills. These, participants
reckoned, have transformed businesses with multiplier effect on Nigeria’s GDP
in which the telecom sector contributes more than 12 percent.
Earlier, at the first business session hosted by The
Guardian newspaper, held after the opening plenary, discussants and
participants visualised how African stories will be told in the next 10 years.
There is a convergence of opinions that great developments in Africa could
propel emergence of great brands that can shape the nature of content as well
as their narrations to the benefit of Africa.
Furthermore, the extant NDEPS, the NNBP and the New Policy
on 5G networks for Digital Nigeria, are expected to combine to shape the nature
of and significance of content generation, processing and dissemination in
Africa.