The Mobile World Congress, the most influential conference
and exhibition of stakeholders in mobile technology, innovation and
connectivity, is taking place in Barcelona from February 28 to March 3,
2022. The Nigerian delegation will
engage global players in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
sphere to explore areas of strategic collaboration and investment for
accelerating the growth of Nigeria’s emergent digital economy.
The Nigerian delegation is scheduled to participate in at
least 33 sessions during MWC, organised by Global System for Mobile
Communications Association (GSMA). The gathering attracts the participation of
biggest manufacturers, GSM operators, mobile brands, regulators and policy
makers from across the world, showcasing innovations, new announcements, new
products and emergent innovations.
Among the teams Pantami will lead other participants from
Nigeria to meet, are Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), representatives
the World Economic Forum (WEF), and other key actors in the global ICT ecosystem.
On arrival in Barcelona, Pantami, Danbatta and top echelon
of the Nigerian delegation, hit the ground running by holding purposive
strategic talks with Dynamic Spectrum Alliance (DSA), a global organization
advocating for laws and regulations that will lead to more efficient and
effective spectrum utilisation.
The discussion focused on spectrum sharing and unlicensed
technologies as well as progress of DSA’s work in this regard, with emphasis on
how DSA’s processes will benefit Nigeria. The meeting took place on February
28, 2022.
Same day, the Nigerian delegation also had a meeting with
Nokia and discussed potential government initiatives and how NCC and Nokia can
collaborate more strategically to accomplish some policy objectives and targets
of the institutionalised digital digital economy processes in Nigeria.
On March 1, aside participation in other key sessions slated
for the day, the Nigerian delegation met SpaceX, a satellite operator to
discuss licensing and authorisation issues as the may affect SpaceX.
The Pantami-led delegation equally met with the
representatives of the World Economic Forum (WEF) to explore and concretely
engage about opportunities within the framework of the EDISON Alliance for
Digital Inclusion, and the possibility of Nigeria becoming Lighthouse Country
of the Alliance.
EDISON Alliance was launched by WEF to mobilise a global
movement to prioritize digital inclusion as foundational to the achievement of
the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This is envisioned to enhance
attainment of goals towards fostering affordable and accessible digital
opportunities for everyone by 2025.
One significance of the deliberations with WEF is the
readiness to leverage relationship with EDISON Alliance to accelerate and
foster unprecedented collaboration between the ICT community and other critical
sectors of the economy in order to advance Nigeria’s vision on financial
inclusion.
Indeed, on March 1, 2022, the Nigerian delegation is also
scheduled to discuss with the MTN team, and thereafter proceed to attend a demo
at Meta’s Exhibition Stand, where the CEO of Meta and owner of Facebook, Mark
Zuckerberg, is to call for global partnership to build the next world virtual
reality (metaverse). A metaverse is a network of 3D virtual worlds focused on
social connection.
On March 2, 2022, the Nigerian delegation will meet a United
States (US) delegation to discuss collaboration on telecommunications and
related ICT issues. The Nigerian delegation will also engage the exhibition by
Huawei Technologies as well as chat with the company’s senior executive
management.
Speaking at the influential, global technology congress,
Pantami said “The high-level discussion which Nigerian delegation is having
with both original equipment manufacturers and other key players in the ICT
world will enhance deeper alliance, collaboration and bilateral synergy
required to accelerate Nigeria’s vision for a real digital economy.”
Amplifying the Minister’s voice, Danbatta said Nigeria’s participation
at the event on an annual basis is based on the realistaion that “MWC provides
a vibrant deal-making environment for attendees, as it also remains a truly
international exhibition attracting decision-makers in the mobile ecosystem
which Nigeria is keen to explore to grow its telecoms and ICT industry.”
The 2022 MWC is being attended by mostly senior executives
and management staff of over 2000 companies, institutions and entities from 183
countries.
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