Leading shared communications infrastructure provider, IHS Nigeria has called on the federal government to reposition digital infrastructure, innovation and talent as core inputs for Nigeria’s prosperity.
The company noted that it is playing a pivotal role in advancing Nigeria’s digital economy during the 31st Nigerian Economic Summit (NES #31), held under the theme “The Reform Imperative: Building a Prosperous and Inclusive Nigeria by 2030.”
In his keynote address, Mohamad Darwish, Executive Vice President and CEO of IHS Nigeria, stressed that digital infrastructure has become the backbone of national productivity, highlighting IHS’s own footprint of over 16,000 towers and 15,000 kilometers of fiber network.
Darwish passionately argued that digital infrastructure, innovation, and talent must be repositioned as core inputs for economic growth, not peripheral sectors, underscoring the necessity of robust public private collaboration to bridge the nation’s digital divide.
The subsequent panel discussion featured prominent figures including the Honourable Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, along with Iyinoluwa Aboyeji (Founder, Future Africa), Fernando Barros (CFO, I-Systems Brazil), and Nneka Enwereji (CEO, CitiBank Nigeria).
The discussion centered on leveraging digital technology as an engine for economic transformation.
Minister Tijani highlighted ongoing government initiatives such as broadband expansion and the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) program, emphasizing the need for “policy execution with measurable impact.”
Panelists reached a consensus that achieving “smart growth” relies on three critical enablers; infrastructure, investment, and talent all functioning within a clear, innovation-friendly policy framework.
Additionally, the need for stable regulatory environments, predictable policies to attract long-term investment, and cross-country learning were strongly advocated.
