More than 600 stakeholders in Communications Industry gathered together in Lagos at the just concluded AFRINIC 27 with the sole aim of repositioning ICT issues in Africa.
AFRINIC-27 meeting theme this year was ‘Taking the African Internet to the Next Level through Policy, Collaboration and Education.
The Nigerian Communications Minister, Honourable Adebayo Shittu, who was represented at the event by Tope Fashedemi, the Director of e-Governance at the Ministry of Communications, praised AFRINIC for providing the leadership that has contributed to the positive accomplishments in the Africa ICT ecosystem.
“ Nigeria’s Internet penetration is already at 47.44 percent and noted that the figure is set to rise as NCC finalize processes for the licensing of companies to fill the infrastructure gap and open the floodgate for citizens and enterprises to access Internet resources” The Minister opined .
The Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, Professor Umar Garba Danbatta who was represented at the occasion which held at the Renaissance Hotel, Ikeja Lagos , spoke through Alhassan Haru, NCC’s Director of New Media and Information Security.
He opined that the African Regional Internet Registry (AFRINIC), has contributed a lot in providing platforms for Internet Development in Africa, from about 4.5 million Internet Users in 2002 to over 388 Million users in 2017.
“The growth of the Internet Industry in Africa comes with the challenge of sustaining its development to ensure that the industry maintains global relevance and contends with challenges of low Internet penetration.
“As the internet evolves, so also does cyber crime. This remains an immense challenge for internet development in Africa and the entire world, crucial collaboration within sub-regional and regional needed and this is the key in preventing and mitigating cyber crime.
“Nigeria and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) were already working to set up the Africa Regional Cybersecurity Center (RCC) in Abuja.The centre will be used for Africa Regional Cybersecurity information sharing on cyber-attacks, threats, malwares and viruses; and to also train countries within the Africa sub-region on Cybersecurity related issues” He said.
Dr. Isa Ali Pantami, Director General of NITDA, who was represented by Dr. Abdullahi Usman. Pantami stated that broadband penetration is adding profound change in many spheres including citizens participation in governance. He promised that NITDA will work with the Federal Ministry of Communications, NCC, NIRA and other stakeholders to promote sustainability, governance and inclusion for all.
The NIRA President, Rev. Sunday Folayan also contributed his own quota to the theme of the programme.
“I want to express my appreciation to the host of this meeting (NiRA) for inviting me, and all partnering organizations for their support, and AFRINIC for giving Nigeria the opportunity to host this meeting for the second time.
“I acknowledge the effort of internet society and the stakeholders in helping the development of internet in the African region. It is acknowledged that taking Internet to the next level, requires collaboration, education and sensitization. The NCC is therefore committed to supporting the African Internet industry as much as possible with provision of good regulatory policies in Nigeria, which will ensure availability, affordability and accessibility to high speed internet that would drive emerging technologies and deployment of more services.
“I urge all the participants to take full advantage of the opportunity this meeting offers, as it will ensure and support the sustainability of the ongoing or projected developments for the Industry.” Folayan concluded.
Basking in the euphoria of hosting a successful event, Edith Udeagu, the Chief Operating Officer of NIRA thanked the participants, who came from all walks of life for partaking in the event.
“I know that many of the attendees are from outside Nigeria; many of who are from other countries in Africa and the Indian Ocean nations of Mauritius and Madagascar. We thank you for your presence and support, as I look forward to robust technical presentations and panel discussions at the one week conference” Udeagu said at the opening of the event.
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