‘Discrimination is stalling growth in the ICT sector’
23 October 2019 |
3:55 am
Technology has been identified as a major frontier for the economic development of the country.
Technology has been identified as a major frontier for the economic development of the country.
According to experts, technology will play major role in Nigeria’s economic developments, but has been stunted majorly because of the various challenges in the country, especially those that are making it difficult for companies to thrive.
These challenges are largely becoming discriminatory, especially, against young companies in the country.
But to bridge this challenge, experts have charged the government to implement frameworks that support local companies and ensure global competitiveness. They also called for more adoption of indigenous technology.
Chairman, Technology Firm, Tranter IT, Lanre Ayoola, at an industry forum in Lagos, said discrimination of local technology has stalled the growth of indigenous firms within the Information Technology and Communication (ICT) sector.
Ayoola added that collaboration in reality is farfetched from what is required for a positive impact on the industry.
He said: “Sadly, when bidding for contracts, foreign firms are ultimately awarded projects, even when their bidding proposal is five times higher than the Nigerian firm. Often, the quality of service these foreign firm render is not even one-fifth at par with what we can offer”.
Founding Partner, Lexagon Practice, Tunde Esan, stressed on the need to draw a balance in giving contracts to local firms. “We should pass a law that favours local firms when bidding for a contract, especially if they have the basic requirements and requisite expertise. Also, government should raise the equity stake in technology companies to at least 51 per cent for Nigerians, and 49 per cent to non-Nigerians. This would increase patronage of Nigerian companies,” he added.
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