Although with a number of challenges to overcome such as power supply to regions so as to fulfill the biggest potential in this sector, Nigeria has proven to aim at growing more potentials for the coming years in the IT and Telecoms sector. Recently it was reported that it has the fastest Internet speed in the whole of West Africa. One thing it must ensure now is to address the major challenges in the ICT sector. The issue of software piracy is getting rampart and commercial unlicensed software installation in 2011 goes to 82% piracy, almost doubling the global rate at 42%.
Nigeria becomes the leader in the West Africa Internet Speed
Series of initiatives directed at reinforcing the information and communications technology (ICT) sector was launched by the Nigerian government. Some of these projects include; partnerships and investment programs to assist the sector address some challenges preventing the growth and development of ICT in Nigeria. As landed gateway cables were introduced into the country, this radically contributed into the growth of ICT infrastructures and bridging digital gaps. The fiber optic underwater 14,000km cables named as Wes Africa Cable System (WACS) has a data transfer speed of 5.12 tetrabyte per seconds (Tbps), and the moves started earlier this year.
Nigeria seems to be leading the states as report on internet. The report revealed that Nigeria has passed South Africa in the area of internet speed in less than 11 years after the reformation of its communication networks and market. The average connection speed in Nigeria is 322kbps with a peak rate of 4674kbps, as South Africa is presently on an average of 496kbps, with a peak half that of Nigeria which is at 2172kbps.
With serious interest from the major private sector and powerful support from the Nigerian government, the ICT sector of the West African countries looks promising. As the growth continues; significant investment opportunities in the area of research and training, cyber-security and infrastructural development is obvious.
Presently, Nigeria is accountable for more than 125 million connected lines as at the end of last quarter in 2011, contributing to the goal of the country to be one of the fastest world growing economies. Some of the factors that contributed includes; the commencement of SIM registration by the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC), introduction of mobile money policy by the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Independent Electoral Commission e-registration.
The West African ICTs market are being revolutionized by serious investment in Wireless technologies, convergence of previously separate ICTs; communication, computing and broadcasting and Internet based services.
The West Africa Summit of IT leaders will majorly be looking into many challenges the ICT industry is facing in West Africa, preventing business within the region from getting to the international standard like that of the first world nations. Today’s top ICT and issues of operation will be discussed and treated in the summit.
Are you a Nigeria or West African citizen or a fan, what do you have to say about this growth?
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