NIGERIA and India are set to forge closer cooperation in a determined effort to accelerate growth in information and communications technology. This partnership will boost both countries’ economies through greater ICT penetration and use of advanced technologies and services.

This is the focus of a two-day international conference and exhibition under the auspices of Indo-Africa relations, scheduled to hold on September 6 and 7, in Lagos, being organised by the Telecom Equipment and Services Export Promotion Council, TEPC, an organisation set up by the government of India to promote and support export of telecom equipment and services.

Manoj Sinha, minister of state (independent charge) for communications, India, in a personal letter to his Nigerian counterpart, Adebayo Shittu, minister of communications, said India has emerged as one of the prominent trade partners for Africa. The letter added that both regions have shown complementarities for business to expand and grow.  “IT and Telecom form the backbone for the growth of any country and Africa has been one of the fastest growing markets worldwide in ICT adoption and communication technology.

“To emphasise the relationship and commitment between India and African countries, the government of India has proposed to host the 3rd edition of Indo-Africa ICT Expo 2017 in conjunction with IT and Telecom Summit, hence the need for collaboration of both countries’ ministries in charge of communications. I request your ministry along with ICT departments to be partner for the event, which would bring together over 100 ICT companies from India and many more from ICT sector from Africa and attract over 2000 visitors,” Sinha said.

On his part, Shittu praised the idea of the Indo-Africa ICT conference and promised Nigeria’s cooperation and participation to ensure a successful and worthwhile event for the good of India and Nigeria as well as the ICT industry in general. “We are delighted about the idea of this event, and from Nigeria we will put in our best to ensure the programme comes out very well,” he said, adding that the two countries share a lot in common, and ICT currently being very topical globally, it is in their interest to pool resources to deliver results for their common peoples.

Aug 14, 2017 @ 01:00 GMT