The Swedish ministerial delegation led by Minister of Development Cooperation, Gunilla Carlsson and Finance Minister, Anders Borg visited submarine cable operator, Main One, last week to learn about the business opportunities in the Information Communications Technology (ICT) sector which has helped boost Nigeria’s position to the country’s second largest trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa.
The visit, which was also attended by Adesegun Oniru, Commissioner for Waterfront Development, Lagos State government, provided entrepreneurs in the ICT space and the Lagos State government an opportunity to discuss how to further boost broadband communications activities in Lagos and how ICT can further aid the development of Lagos as a mega city.
In particular, Carlsson highlighted that ten years ago no one in Sweden could foresee the role that the Internet is currently playing in government service delivery, commerce, healthcare and education.
She highlighted benefits that improved broadband access would provide the residents of a mega city such as Lagos and commended the efforts of the State government to work with companies like Main One to achieve the vision of affordable broadband service availability around the State.
Also participating in the meeting was Sim Shagaya, chief executive officer of Nigeria’s leading online retailer Konga.com which has received funds from Swedish investment fund Kinnevik.
Main One is a wholly African owned communications services company delivering international connectivity and world class broadband services to companies in West Africa.
Backed by its open access, 1.92 Tbps fibre optic cable and a state-of-the-art IP NGN backbone network, main One delivers communication services to Telecom Operators, Internet Service Providers, Governments and Large Enterprises in the region.
BEN UZOR JR
