Tech expert urges govt to provide enabling environment

Partner at Silicon Valley Product Group (SVPG) and founder of WorkNigeria, Christian Idiodi has stressed the need for the government to provide the necessary infrastructure that would support technology and enhance the growth of business in Africa.

Fielding questions from journalists at the just concluded Inspire Africa Conference held in Lagos, he observed most start-ups struggle due to infrastructural gaps.

Describing technology as how problems are solved today, he added, “Problem solvers have always existed in Africa. We have always been creative and solving different things.

“I tell people who want to start a tech journey to practise problem-solving. You can volunteer to help people. If you are not good at solving problems, then you will not be good at solving problems with technology. You must also start your own company, it’s the fastest way to learn.”

Specifically, he observed with only 25 per cent of Africans on the Internet, seven $1 billion companies have been created, like Interswitch, Flutterwave, Chipper cash and others.

On his part, the Managing Director of Edo State Investment Promotion Office, Kelvin Uwaibi, said the state government has established a data agency to support the government’s effort in its digitalisation drive.