Is Nigeria the ICT hub of Africa?

Really things are shaping up for the internet/IT industry in the country whether consciously or unconsciously, we are beginning to have healthy debates about whether Nigeria is the ICT hub of Africa or Kenya, or South Africa. The debate I believe will shift our thinking, assumption, optimism and complacency to move us to the next level.

I and Wayan had a chat on the potential of Nigerian ICT (in continuation of my research and analysis of the Nigerian Internet Industry) and some of our chat was expanded in a blog post on ICT Works website here. Immediately the article was published, comments started trooping in and it soon turned to a debate. Some questioned the aim behind the article; is it that Wayan wants to start unnecessary debate so as to drive traffic to the site? Could the claim be based on mere assumption? Or is it an attack on Nigeria? Well it all depends on how we choose to see it! It’s no doubt that the Nigerian ICT (telecom inclusive) industry in Nigeria is one of the biggest in Africa… but are we the number 1? Are we getting as much value from what we are paying for the services? Is this all we have got to offer? Is this the best we can get as a country? Is it that innovation has taken indefinite leave in the country? Why do we have too many replicated technology without viable local impact? Why is Kenya doing this and that and the world seem to now think that Kenya is the official landing place for anyone coming to Africa, what about Nigeria? We have got the population, oil money, MTN etc right in our country, right?

If you have read my various research and analysis on this site and other sites… I think you should be able to deduct that am as passionate, optimistic and visionary as anyone who believe in his or her country should be! My question or conclusion so to speak is not that we don’t have what it takes or we don’t have the people or we don’t have the market… we have what it takes to be amongst the top-ten economies in the world (top-twenty “Vision 2020-20” is the last attempt to settle for less, when we have failed to do the necessary things)!

There are so many problems in the country, in fact a day old child can attest to it… but am concerned about what we can do with what we have! How can we use our potentials to our advantage? This time around, what I am thinking is answers and action towards realizing the potential of this country… not to focus on the little we have achieve (we are growing but not good enough in this 21^st century).

Believe me guys, am concerned about Nigeria just like every genuine Nigeria, what am getting everyday is not what I can see for this country… enough of story… let’s take action.

Real time online debate

Hey, please join us on the 26^th of March 6pm for a joint debate on Nigerian Technology Industry: The way forward. We are looking for answers please or creativity triggering question and action plan and commitment! Join the debate here.

You can download my presentation at the last Technology Outlook 2010 here (you might have seen some of the charts, but we took it to the movers in the industry).
Read Wayan post here.
Read David counter-post here.

Please answer the question; is Nigeria the ICT hub of Africa?

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