ZKTeco, global provider of biometrics technology solutions, identity management and security applications, has announced plans to set up shop and play in Nigeria’s burgeoning digital identity market, as its hub to service the sub-Saharan market.
With plans to carry out major technology research and development (R&D) in Nigeria, the company which is headquartered in China and has various R&D, design and innovation centers in Silicon Valley, Europe, South Korea, Xiamen, Dalian, Shenzhen, Hangzhou, etc., has already partnered with SB Telecoms and Devices Limited, as its local partner in Nigeria, in a bid to transform Nigeria’s economy and encourage more foreign investment in the ICT sector which currently contributes over 11 percent to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and is a major target in the Government’s plans for economic diversification.
Speaking to journalists at a press conference in Lagos, John Che, president and founder of ZKTeco said Nigeria was considered to act as hub for the rest of Africa because of the country’s strategic position on the continent, including its population, the market size, the GDP, as well as the government’s efforts to transform the economy via its diversification agenda and encouragement of foreign investments.
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“ZKTeco already has a presence in South Africa and Egypt, but based on our growth objectives and the fact that Africa has a strong growth prospect, we decided to increase our stake in Africa and we identified Nigeria as the epicenter of Africa, representing the strongest growth prospect on the continent, with opportunities to collaborate on its identity management and biometrics standard needs,” Che said.
The R&D centre will be established in the University of Lagos campus to take advantage of the abundant local talent to create solutions that can run on ZKTeco platforms.
Also speaking, Afolabi Abiodun, chief executive officer of SB Telecoms and Devices Limited, said that ZKTeco’s relationship with Nigeria started about eight years ago when SB Telecoms became its accredited partner in Nigeria, also servicing the West African sub-region.
“With ZKTeco’s expertise in biometric technology, identity security management, and time management, the company hopes to collaborate with Nigerians, both in the private and public sectors, in line with the company’s growth objectives, to help fast track the country’s development,” he said.
“Identity management through biometrics is very critical to growth and development of every country. Biometrics helps to drive the efficient management of time and resources, helping to boost productivity,” Che said.
While commending the government for its efforts in building a comprehensive database for the country through its data capture exercises, Che, however, said there is a need to synchronize the different biometric exercises to ensure a national database.
ZKTeco’s tech products are in used in 180 countries, with subsidiaries in over 35 countries, including the US, Russia, Mexico, and South Africa. The company has 14 R&D centres across the world and a wide array of private and public sector clients.
