Tolu Aiyegbusi

The Federal Government has awarded patent certificates to 18 researchers for their various inventions and innovations in addressing economic problems.

The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Mr Uche Nnaji, presented the certificates to the beneficiaries at an event organised by the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) on Tuesday in Abuja.

Nnaji described the event as a boost to research, industrialisation and development in the country.

He praised NOTAP for delivering on its mandate by providing an efficient process for the acquisition and domestication of foreign technologies.

The minister urged beneficiaries to create an impact for the Federal Government’s economic sustainability plan where research was translated to production activities and create jobs for youth.

“ Nigerian innovators, researchers and scientists should improve on their ability to protect their intellectual properties through the help of NOTAP.

”The recipients should make more efforts to move their Research and Development results to be available in the market, which would boost the nation’s overall socio-economic fortunes,” he said.

Nnaji added that for any economy to strengthen its intellectual properties, it must increase its investment in Research and Development (R and D).

He called for an improved partnership between the private sector and research communities to reduce the nation’s dependence on oil.

Earlier in his opening remarks, the outgoing Director-General of NOTAP, Dr DanAzumi Ibrahim, said, ”for any economy to become independent, there is the need for capacity building.

“For any nation to become economically independent, we have to develop the necessary capacities, they are the human resources God has given us.

“ In the process, we realise the gap between us and developing nations is wide and it is important to bridge it.

”Doing so depends on our capacity to convert our raw materials into products and services, and food supply.

“We don’t need to import anything into the country, but to export and make income from other nations,” Ibrahim said.

The director-general added that no nation that was aspiring to become economically independent would fold its arms and allow its economy to collapse.

He also said that more than 90 per cent of the technologies that powered the Nigerian economy were imported technologies.

“ No nation can do it alone, scientists are expected to come up with technologies that should be able to assist Nigeria improve the quality of life of our citizens,” he said.

Ibrahim added that the private sector and research communities had responsibilities to come together to see how the country can grow into economic prosperity.

“We see the quantum amount that leaves this country as licensing fees, this should inspire our inventions,” he said.

NAN reports that some of the innovations were based on renewable energy, bio process for leather making, home emergency alert system, hardware and automated system for food production.

Some of the beneficiary institutions included the research and development arms of the University of Maiduguri, The Federal Institute of Industrial Research (FIIRO), Oshodi; Federal University of Technology, Minna, Bayero University, Kano and University of Ilorin.

Other institutions are University of Jos, University of Uyo, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Calvary Arrows college Gboko.

Individual recipients include Mr Arthur Ode, Mr Fawole Elijah among others. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

By Ijeoma Olorunfemi

The Federal Government has urged investors to leverage opportunities in the African space sector for its liberalisation, saying that the continent is strategically positioned to deliver space-based services to the world.

Mr Uche Nnaji, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, said this on Monday at the opening of a 5-day maiden edition of the African Space Economy Conference and Exhibition.

The conference is being organised by the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), in collaboration with Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI).

The programme is with the theme “Exploring Space Economy for Africa’s Economic Growth”, having industry players, businessmen, scientists, students and the government in participation.

Represented by Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, Technical Adviser on Programmes, Nnaji said that Africa needed to explore the immense potential hidden in the space sector to harness creativity and sustainable development.

“Space economy as an emerging sub-sector of global space ecosystem denotes the economic potential of a dynamic space sector and the role it can play in human socio-economic development.

“This will create a platform to expand African involvement and partnership in global space economy opportunities.

“It is crucial we channel our efforts in discovering solutions to our problems because Africa is in a strategic position to serve the continent and the world with her arrays of space assets.

“We can create jobs, reduce capital flight and improve technological innovations for our youthful population and the general public,” he said.

The minister urged the participants to leverage Fourth Industrial Revolution and other disruptive technologies to the advantage of the country.

Dr Halilu Shaba, Director-General of NASRDA, said part of the objectives of the conference was to build synergy between practitioners and investors in the space sector.

Shaba recalled that NASRDA was established in 1999 to help the nation to explore the economic potential derived from space science and technology.

“The Space Science and Technology industry was an exclusive preserve of big government enterprises such as National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), European Space Agency, among others in the time past.

“This has however changed in the recent years because big private individuals such as Elon Musk, Richard Branson, Jeff Bezos and many others have become big players in the space industry.

“The conference is one of the strategic efforts of NASRDA to open up the space ecosystem for appreciation, utilisation and patronage.

“It is our hope that many investors in Africa would see the potential in the industry and begin to invest for the economic emancipation of our continent,” he said.

Shaba called on the participants to take advantage of the ‘Business-To-Business’ opportunities to network from other like-minded people from across the globe.

Dr Al-Mujtaba Abubakar, President, ACCI, said that the space industry was growing rapidly, with about 10 per cent annual growth rate, while the African continent was yet to leverage on the growth.

Abubakar said that Africa was still lacking the requisite policy framework needed for robust facilitation and regulation of the sub-sector.

“The African space economy in 2021 was estimated to be valued at 19.49 billion dollars and is projected to grow by 16.16 per cent to 22.64 billion dollars by 2026.

“Space is also becoming increasingly important for geopolitics, security and defense, while our freedom of action depends on a safe, secure and autonomous access to space,” he said.

Abubakar further said that the conference would mirror developmental issues to impact governance.

The reas the conference would explore, he said, include: Space Technology and Communication, Space Technology and Internally Generated Revenues, Space Technology and Internal Security, Space Technology and Food Security, among others.

Mr Adetokunbo Ogundeyin, General Managing-Director, Proforce Galaxies Limited,said that space technology had the full potential to change the security landscape in Nigeria.

Ogundeyin said that space technology can provide border surveillance, response and deterrence, prevent counterterrorism and kidnapping, maritime security and geospatial intelligence, among other interventions.

According to him, a nation’s space capabilities can enhance its international influence, diplomatic leverage and allow participation in international space collaborations and negotiations.

He said that investment opportunities in space economy can benefit everyone, adding that it encompasses space manufacturing, infrastructure development, human capital development, space startups and entrepreneurship.

Ogundeyin said, “It is time for Africa to ascend to new heights by harnessing space technology to secure the well-being and prosperity of our nations, seize the opportunities for investment that lie on the African frontier of space exploration.”

There was an exhibition tour of space-generated innovations by dignitaries. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

By Collins Yakubu-Hammer

Neveah Limited, a leading indigenous export company, is going to sponsor and promote Nigeria’s mineral resources at the London Metal Exchange (LME) Seminar.

This is contained in a statement, signed by the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr Ibidapo Lawal, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.

According to Lawal, the LME London is the trading and price formation venue of industrial metals globally, with an annual trade volume of US$15.2 trillion annually.

“It employs a published set of rules and regulations which forms the basis of sustaining an orderly market.

“Neveah Limited has religiously displayed ingenuity and a pioneering culture by being the first and only Nigerian company to take part in this annual conference for three years and counting,” he said.

He said the company believed in employing innovative strategies and taking on uncharted territories while carrying out its business activities.

“This year, Neveah intends to shed light on the far-reaching strides made by Nigeria in the solid minerals sector, with the objective of promoting Nigeria as one of the key destinations.

“By so doing, we are encouraging global interest and ultimately, attracting foreign direct investment in Nigeria’s Mining Industry,” Lawal said.

The Neveah boss said to achieve these, the company would be presenting an overview of Nigerian base metals.

He said the address would highlight incentives such as the Pioneer Tax Status, Export Expansion Grant, and the RT 200 Non-Oil Export Proceeds Repatriation Rebate Scheme.

He further explained that the company would highlight efforts that have been made to formalize and regulate artisanal and small-scale mining to ensure responsible sourcing and revenue generation.

He said the company exports to over 15 countries in Europe and Asia, with its major markets also spanning across North America.

He said the company also worked closely with selected suppliers for its materials and provide the best products at the most affordable prices to its global customers.

He added that in 2022, Neveah was awarded Sectoral Exporter of the year by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council.

According to him, the company was recently ranked 18th on Financial Times London list of Africa’s 100 Fastest Growing Companies. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Benson Ezugwu/Vincent Obi

By Sani Idris

A company, Green Panacea Limited, has begun training of 345 people, drawn from the 23 LGAs in Kaduna State on biogas production technology.

Biogas is a renewable fuel that is produced when organic matter, such as food or animal waste, is broken down by microorganisms in the absence of oxygen.

The training is supported by the Kaduna State Ministry of Local Government and Ministry for Environment.

Speaking to newsmen on the sideline of the training, Dr Aisha Yusuf, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Green Panacea Limited said the training was to enhance the capacity of young people towards fighting climate change.

Describing biogas as a major component in the conversion and impact creation for mitigating climate change, she said it has a viable means of job creation for the teeming youth population.

Yusuf added that the training was aimed at ensuring the possibilities of every home in Kaduna imbibe the culture of biogas usage and production.

She noted that the unfriendly economic situation in the country, where the cost of LPG cooking gas is always on the rise, should be a key reason for the shift to biogas.

“We also want to see the possibilities of reducing the rate of deforestation in our environments, and of course people can not be stopped from what they are naturally used to without giving them alternatives.

“The alternative here is biogas production, we want to see every home having access to, or producing their biogas,” Yusuf said.

Speaking on the associated risk in using biogas for cooking, the CEO noted that it is safe for usage and has low or even zero volatility.

“As the name implies; biogas is biological and natural, it does not cause havoc to anybody using it, it is free of all the elements that cause volatility,” she said.

She commended the Kaduna State Government for mobilising and sponsoring the participants for the training.

A participant, Mr Wisdom Katuka from Jaba LGA, said with the current state of the economy, he is indebted to the company for ensuring that he also trains members of his community on biogas production.

He said that he has over the years been hearing of biogas, where in the training he testified that it is workable.

“With this training, I will one day become an employer of labour, more to that, I will be producing my own biogas for my home use, it will actually save me so much cost and improve my financial capacity,” he said.

Similarly, Mr Aliyu Yusuf from Igabi LGA, said the training on biogas production would be very beneficial to him, adding that being a businessman, he has seen a way of diversifying his business.

He thanked the company and the Kaduna State Government for the opportunity, noting that the training, if put into reality will improve their livelihood in many ways.

Also, Ms Naomi Iliya, said with the abundance of waste in Kaduna, biogas production would be her target business.

She therefore thanked the organisers of the training for the opportunity while pledging to make judicious use of the skills she acquired to train members of her community. (NAN)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Naomi Sharang

Barnksforte Technology Ltd, an indigenous technology company has reassured Nigerians of the formidable security features embedded in the self-service application launched by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).

The Chief Executive Officer of the company, Mr Dayo Bankole, gave the assurances in a statement in Abuja on Thursday to lay to rest “needless concerns” raised in some quarters regarding the safety of the recently-launched App.

He allayed fears about the application, saying that necessary security measures had been put in place to ensure that the integrity of the application was thorough, with no gaps for security breach or compromise.

According to him, the self-service mobile application, which is a giant stride in digitalisation of biometric enrollment, was developed by NIMC in partnership with Barnksforte Technologies Ltd.

Bankole said that it was unfortunate that some persons for selfish reasons would discredit such a laudable innovation that had the capacity to change the narrative across Africa and the world at large.

He further said that the narrative that Nigeria’s database would be compromised by foreigners using the the self-service application was not only mischievous, but an attempt to undermine NIMC’s capability.

“Nigerians should be assured that their biometrics are safe, and the choice of the current NIMC director-general, an expert with proven years of experience is not a mistake.

“I am disappointed by masterminds of the wrong reports about the effort of government to place Nigeria on the world stage in terms of technological advancement.

“Rather than carry out due diligence on the features of the application before going public, they are quick to put out reports to dissuade Nigerians from keying into the present government’s Renewed Hope Agenda in that regard,” the chief executive said.

He said if those behind the negative reports had made enquiries, they would have realised that the application process was only part of the whole package.

He added that there was a formidable backend technology to verify every information provided by an applicant.

Bankole said that the NIMC was collaborating with the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and other local technical partners on one of the basic requirements for enrollment for NIN for Nigerians in Diaspora.

He stressed that the diasporans are required to provide the international passport number to be able to apply.

“The application is the front-end identity solution and all data is sent directly to the NIMC database which is also well-secured.”

On the enrollment process, the technology expert said that the process was seamless once downloaded from Google Play Store or IOS.

Other steps, according to Bankole, are authentication, adding that “for those with the NIN, it is the key to accessing the self-service enrollment.

“Those without NIN are accommodated through secure emails, adjusting the process accordingly.” (NAN)

Edited by Christiana Fadare

By Jessica Dogo

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), says the agency will support Uniccon Group of Companies in terms of research as it unveils Omeife AI and Omeife Digital Literacy Apps.

The NITDA’s Director-General, Mallam Kashifu Inuwa, made the disclosure during the unveiling of the company’s two Apps on Wednesday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the group launched Africa’s first humanoid robot ‘Omeife’ in December 2022.

These apps are derivatives of Omeife for the benefit of Nigerians, Africa, and the world.

Inuwa spoke about the extraction of services to provide digital literacy, adding that the technology was needed to achieve the targeted 95 per cent digital literacy in Nigeria.

“We are ready to provide any support. We can invest in terms of research.

“Africa and Nigeria should not be left behind. Before most of the industrial revolutions we were not there but today we do not have any reason to be left behind.

“Omeife can be in the hands of Nigerians to learn in a personalised manner and have an interactive experience.

“I have gone around the facility and I am impressed with the technologies in place. I am happy with the convergence of technology in this place, from biological, physical, and chemical perspectives,” he said.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Group, Dr Chuks Ekwueme, said building a digital economy was impossible without the digital education of the masses, especially those at the grassroots, such as local traders and the underserved.

Ekwueme said applying AI technology in the life of artificial intelligence was needed and relevant in everyday life, adding that technology is such that everybody needs to have and not regret having.

He asked,”These technologies are personalised. If you have a technology that does not address problems or issues then what is the essence of the technology?”

Ekwueme acknowledged NITDA, academia, industry partners, policymakers, and the community for supporting the thriving of digital literacy.

He thanked the NITDA’s DG for being a partner in progress. He emphasised that the apps launched would solve unique problems in Africa and add value to society.

In his welcome address, Kehinde Ake, the General Manager, Uniccon Group, called on all relevant stakeholders in the technology space to support the initiative of enabling digital literacy in Africa.

Ake stated that there would be no digital economy if the beneficiaries were digitally ignorant.

“The apps launched have translation services from source to target languages such as English, Pidgin English, Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, French, Swahili, and Arabic.

“They also render subtitling, knowledge assistance, text summarization, and video translation,” he said.

In various goodwill messages from the stakeholders, while extending collaboration opportunities, they applauded Uniccon for advancing the march to a digitally-literate society for a robust digital economy.

The event had representatives from the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), GIZ, Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), the Nigerian Computing Society (NCS), Convexity among others. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

By Sylvester Thompson

Chief Uche Nnaji, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, on Friday said Nigeria must increase production to strengthen the naira and boost the economy.

Nnaji stated this at a news conference on readiness for implementation of Presidential Executive Order N0 5 in Abuja on Friday.

The Presidential Executive Order No. 5 is geared towards achieving self-reliance, self-sufficiency through local content development.

He said the value of the naira would appreciate when the country started producing rather than importing, adding citizens would benefit from a more producing economy.

“If we have made in Nigeria products, we can no longer import and the stress on the naira will reduce.

“When we stop importation of goods and products, we can easily produce here, the value of our currency will appreciate.

“That’s part of the advantage that comes with Presidential Executive Order No 5,’’ the minister said.

Nnaji noted that through his ministry, President Bola Tinubu would create a conducive environment to support the innovative spirit of Nigerian youths and entrepreneurs.

He said: “We see it as a pivotal moment in our nation’s history that will propel Nigeria to new heights of innovation and technological advancement.

The minister said that the Executive Order 5 would address challenges by providing support for made-in-Nigeria goods and services.

” The order will develop home-grown capability and the capacity to maintain, redesign, reproduce, rededicate and duplicate any infrastructure built in Nigeria for self-reliance and development.

“The Order also seeks to closely monitor and promote the capacity of Nigerian professionals and contractors in science, engineering and technological progress to compete with their counterparts globally,” Nnaji said.

He added that full implementation of the order would bolster the economy, create jobs, reduce poverty and usher in a brighter future for Nigeria.

The minister said the ministry was currently developing a national strategy for competitiveness in raw materials and product development.

He said it was also formulating national policies on leather and leather products, welding and welding related fields, among others.(NAN)

Edited by Nabilu Balarabe/Idris Abdulrahman

By Ijeoma Olorunfemi

The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Nigerian Institution of Space Engineers (NISEng) have called for the deployment of space assets to address the security challenges in the country.

They made the call at the hybrid 7th annual lecture and 6th conferment of fellowship awards organised by the Nigerian Institution of Space Engineers (NISEng) in Abuja.

The event was in honour of retired Brig.-Gen. Michael Agu, the pioneer chairman of NISEng in recognition of his contributions and achievements towards the growth of space engineering in Nigeria.

The lecture had the theme “Repositioning Nigeria’s Space Infrastructure as a Critical Dual-Use Asset for National Security: Government-Industry Imperatives.”

Dr Halilu Shaba, Director General of NASRDA, said the country needed high-resolution satellites that would pinpoint hotspots of insecurity activities.

Represented by Dr Sadiq Umar, Director, Centre for Satellite Technology Development (CSTD), Shaba also said the country had lots of ungoverned areas where insecurity was thriving.

“We have broadband connectivity, Direct-to-home connectivity, it means we should communicate assets and our remote sensing facilities to curtail these security challenges.

“Nigeria Sat X is a remote sensing satellite with low resolution. We are thinking of high-resolution imagers that can pinpoint where problems are and solve them.

“You can pinpoint using like 0.5 to 1 metre resolution and we don’t have a space asset that is of that resolution.

“We are working in collaboration with relevant agencies and the Presidency to acquire a high-resolution satellite that can pinpoint, show where problems are and give us pre-knowledge, movement of bandits and terrorist.’’

He added that the country also required a Synthetic Aperture Radar satellite that could see through the clouds even at night.

According to him, without security, the country cannot grow; there will be food insecurity and a lot of challenges.

The President, Nigerian Society of Engineers, Engr. Tasiu Gidaari, while declaring the event open, said there were lots of issues bedeviling the nation.

Gidaari said that top on the list was infrastructure deficit that crippled development, among other issues.

“As engineers we are encouraged to continually engage in Research and Development (R&D) and seeking technologically driven innovative ways to solve our problems.

“The NSE is at the forefront of innovation, we have launched the Smart Innovation hub of the NSE, so avail yourself to be part of R&D and commercialisation of research works,” he said.

Shaba, in a virtual lecture on the theme, said space-based communication systems such as satellites enabled, secured and ensured real-time communication for military forces, government agencies and emergency responders.

He enumerated that space assets ensured weather forecasting, environmental monitoring, secure data transmission, cybersecurity, among other importance.

He highlighted that the Nigerian space asset had been instrumental to monitoring disasters like flood, oil spillage, forest fires, managing post-disaster recovery, among other goods.

Shaba recommended that there should be strategic planning and investment, space diplomacy, collaborative framework, international cooperation, risk management and contingency planning to boost use of space asset.

Dr Umar Abdullahi, National Chairman of NISEng, said that the annual lecture had always been a time to reflect on the remarkable journey, legacy set by Gen. Agu.

Abdullahi explained that space had become an important part of the national security apparatus.

He said that the use of space assets for communication, weather forecasting, surveillance and navigation, were all necessary for safeguarding the nation.

According to him, it is important we recognise this dual-use potential and harness it for national growth.

“Let us remember that our actions and decisions in the realm of space engineering have far-reaching implications for our nation’s security, prosperity and well-being.

“Let us strive to make Nigeria a spacefaring nation, not just for the advantage of science and engineering but also for national growth,’’ he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the annual lecture holds concurrently with the World Space Week between Oct. 4 and Oct. 10.

It is usually celebrated in recognition of the first artificial satellite Sputnik into orbit in 1957. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

By Funmilola Gboteku/ Stellamaris Ashinze

The Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) says it is imperative for the country to sharpen its focus on broadband development and intensify support for data centre services to boost digital sovereignty.

The Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umaru Danbatta, said this on Thursday during the Telecoms Sector Sustainability Forum (TSSF) 4.0 organised by Business Remarks in Lagos.

The theme of the event was: “Mainstreaming Data Centres in the Nigerian Digital Economy.”

Danbatta, who was represented by Dr Sunday Atu, Head, Tariff Administration NCC, said mainstreaming data centres required collective efforts.

According to him, there is need for support to ensure data centres not only operate to guarantee national digital sovereignty, but also prioritise contents reflecting the country’s cultural norms, contexts and ideological values.

He said data was regarded as the new oil globally with increasing intensity in the context of the emerging digital economy.

For that reason, Danbatta explained that data had become a subject of special consideration by regimes, requiring appropriate structures and frameworks to truly tap and optimise the opportunities provided by this new order.

Danbatta noted that data centre services, no doubt, held the keys to the ultimate crystallisation of the new line of thinking within the ICT sector and by extension to the greater national economy of nations in so many ways.

“Recent developments point to the limitless treasure within this space. Africa has recently assumed a new frontier and compelling destination for global big tech players.

“Tech giants, like Google with its Equiano subsea fibre cable spanning 15,000 km from Portugal to South Africa and strategic landing points in Nigeria and Namibia, are expected to increase connectivity more than five-fold within Nigeria while creating an expected 1.6 million jobs.

“Meta, the parent company of Facebook, is equally on the threshold of launching its own subsea cable called 2Africa in 2024 to connect 16 African countries at an estimated cost of 1 billion dollars.

“It is targeted to generate close to 36 billion dollars of economic output within two to three years of operation.

“While these, no doubt, portend significant socio-economic impacts for Nigeria, they bring to the fore the debate around digital sovereignty and the need for national policy and regulatory frameworks to further localise traffic and data,” he said.

According to Danbatta, the global data centre market is worth billions of dollars, and Nigeria is well-positioned to attract a fair share of this investment.

He explained that by providing a reliable and secure environment for the services they offer within a well nurtured policy and regulatory framework, Nigeria would represent an attractive destination for more investment in data centre services and operations.

“With the commencement of the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the role and critical nature of data centres become increasing overwhelming.

“This is underscored by the kind of efficiency derivable when critical resources are shared at costs far significantly smaller than the actual costs of setting up such resources from scratch,” Danbatta said.

He said this would provide a veritable platform for greater productivity for businesses and public sector entities to effectively harness the opportunities to be unlocked from the estimated 1.2 trillion dollars latent treasure within the AfCFTA block through its 1.3 billion people.

In his remark, the Chief Executive Officer of Medallion Data Centre Ltd., Ikechukwu Nnamani, said: “If we look at other parametres

Nigeria should be at the fore front of data centre industry in Africa.

“Unfortunately we are lagging behind and surprisingly African countries like South Africa and Egypt are way ahead of Nigeria.

He explained that from the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) point, broadband connectivity, and in terms of mobile subscription, Nigeria had significantly lower figures than other African countries.

Nnamani stressed the need for Nigeria to be put in its rightful position as the giant of Africa, not just in terms of population, but also in the area of quality of life of citizens, GDP and the digital benefits.

Also speaking , Bukola Olanrewaju, the convener of TSSF stressed the pivotal role data centres played in the digital era, saying beyond data storage and accessibility, they underpinned the digital world, fuelling economic growth, environmental sustainability and data security.

Olanrewaju said currently, there were only 86 colocation data centres in 15 African countries, with the majority concentrated in the big four African countries, which included South -Africa , Egypt, Nigeria and Kenya.

She said according to Allied Market Research, the global data centre market was valued at 187.35 billion dollars in 2020 and was anticipated to reach 517.17 billion by 2030.

According to Olanrewaju, data centres, alongside fibre optic broadband expansion and telecom towers, are poised to become the new backbone of Africa’s economic growth. (NAN)

Edited by Salif Atojoko

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