NTICE 2023: NCC showcases indigenous telecoms achievements, urges innovators, startups, MDAs, others for participation

*The Nigerian Communications Commission says this year’s Telecommunications Indigenous Content Expo (NTICE 2023) is open to multi-sectoral participants, including indigenous telecoms operators, manufacturers, government agencies, innovators, industry leaders and startups to present their innovative products and services, and new technologies to consumers

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) says the Commission is ready to showcase achievements recorded in the promotion of indigenous content in the telecoms sector at the second edition of the Nigerian Telecommunications Indigenous Content Expo (NTICE 2023).

ConsumerConnect reports the forthcoming event holds August 22-24, 2023, at Landmark Centre, Victoria Island, in Lagos.

The NCC, in a statement, noted it is mobilising stakeholders for a remarkable outing at the NTICE 2023 Expo with the theme, “Harnessing Indigenous Content for Economic Growth: Networking to Boost Investment”, following a very impressive showing at the maiden edition of the event 2022.

Mr. Reuben Muoka, Director of Public Affairs at NCC, stated the NTICE is being coordinated by the Commission’s Nigeria Office for Developing the Indigenous Telecom Sector (NODITS).

Muoka said disclosed NODITS superintends over efforts geared towards  effective implementation of the National Policy on the Promotion and Implementation of Indigenous Contents in the Telecommunications Sector, (NPPIC) in the West African country.

The Commission also said that the Expo is open to multi-sectoral participants, including indigenous telecom operators, manufacturers, regulators, government agencies, policymakers and innovators.

Others invited to participate in the event are industry leaders, startups, other actors in the telecoms ecosystem, academia and global experts to showcase their products and services, innovative solutions and new technologies in the digital ecosystem.

According to the Commission, the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003 empowers the NCC to encourage local and foreign investments in the Nigerian communications industry, and introduce innovative services and practices.

The Act, noted the Commission, as well as enables it to promote the participation of Nigerians in the ownership, control and management of communications companies and development of communications manufacturing and supply sectors.

Objectives of NTICE Expo

“Therefore, NTICE 2023 is being organised in keeping with the extant provisions of the NCA 2003, and to promote the four focus areas of the NPPIC, which are Manufacturing, Service, People as well as Research and Development for innovation in line with the Federal Government’s drive to diversify the economy,” NCC stated.

According to the telecoms sector regulator, the event has continued to serve as a rare assemblage of stakeholders, where diverse thoughts can be shared in contexts that advance utilisation of indigenous contents in the telecommunications industry in Nigeria.

The Commission further said: “Participation in the event requires mandatory formal registration ahead of the day of the event and the Commission has created the link: www.ntice.ncc.gov.ng for this purpose, and intending participants are advised to register before August 22, 2023.”

In an interaction with the NCC’s in-house media recently, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of the Commission, reiterated that NTICE is Nigeria’s largest annual indigenous telecoms, tech and startups, manufacturing and innovative event that brings to stakeholders the powerful connections and valuable new relationships, and highlights the achievements, as well as vast potential of a tech-driven digital economy.

It noted the 2023 Expo is billed to project the achievements of indigenous content by the government for the sector and afford participants the platform to showcase their products and services, innovative solutions and new technologies.