NCC Upholds Indigenous Content Promotion at Kaduna International Trade Fair  

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has made case for the promotion of indigenous content value chain  in the country to drive economic recovery and growth.

Executive Vice chairman of the Commission, Aminu Maida, made the call at the ongoing 45th Kaduna International Trade Fair in Kaduna, where he urged all stakeholders, including telecommunications operators, equipment manufacturers, software developers, and consumers, to embrace the ethos of promoting local content.

According to him, the theme of the trade fair: “Sustaining Economic Recovery through Deepening Local Content Value Chain”, resonates deeply with the principles and objectives of the Commission on the promotion of local content development in the telecoms industry.

He said: “The Commission is fully committed to the advancement of local content and the overall development of the Nigerian economy. We recognize the importance of deepening the local content value chain as a critical driver for economic sustainability and growth.

He assure that telecoms regulator remained dedicated to fostering an enabling environment for telecommunications industry, where local content and innovation can thrive.

More importantly, he said that local content promotion is one of the most critical thrusts of the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.

He said: “We cannot overemphasize the fact that robust local content value chain will not only create economic opportunities but also contribute to technological advancement, job creation, and skills development within the country.

“In line with our commitment to supporting local content, the NCC has implemented various initiatives to promote indigenous participation in the telecommunications sector.

“The Nigerian Office for Development of Indigenous Telecommunications Sector (NODITS), a critical unit in our Digital Economy Department and our Research and Development Department, encourages local manufacturing and assembly of telecommunications equipment, promotes local software development, and supports initiatives aimed at enhancing digital skills and entrepreneurship among Nigerian youths.

As part of action plans to promote indigenous talents and solutions, Maida said the Commission had sponsored a number of Hackathons to encourage and promote Nigerian innovator expanding the frontiers of the Digital Economy.

“In 2023, three winners emerged in three critical thematic areas of innovations: Blockchain-enabled Data Protection Solutions for Enhancing Regulatory Compliance; Assistive Technology Solutions for the Elderly and People with Disabilities and Technology Solutions for Renewable Energy in Rural Areas,” he recalled.

He encourage the participants at the fair to uphold ethos of promoting locak content.

“As we participate in this trade fair, we urge all stakeholders, including telecommunications operators, equipment manufacturers, software developers, and consumers, to embrace the ethos of promoting local content.

“By working together, we can create a more vibrant and inclusive telecommunications industry that contributes significantly to the Nigeria’s economic recovery and growth.

“It may interest you to know that as at Q3 of 2023, the telecoms industry’s contribution to the nation’s GDP stood at 13.5%.”

The week-long Kaduna International Trade Fair is organized By the Kaduna Chamber Of Commerce, Industry Mines and Agriculture (KADCCIMA), while the NCC boss addressed the fair on the special occasion of the NCC Special Day at the fair on Tuesday.