The Nigerian government is using the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Telecom Africa 2004 conference, currently under way in Cairo, Egypt, to call for investment in the country`s telecoms sector.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) hopes to open up many markets within the Nigerian telecoms industry to competition, and is actively pursuing a market-driven approach to further competition.
The NCC`s stated goals include: the promotion of market entry and competition in the telecoms sector; establishment of effective and efficient enforcement mechanisms to ensure consumer protection; optimal utilisation of spectrum; establish standards for telecoms services that are comparable to ITU recommendations; promote universal access and rural services; and establish an effective and efficient organisational framework to increase regulatory capacity.
"We wish to attract major international operators to our nation, and will welcome applications to provide services in areas such as backbone infrastructure, Internet services, fixed-line operations and other such major services," said Cornelius Adebayo, Nigeria`s minister of communications.
He was speaking at a press conference held at ITU Telecom Africa 2004, where the Nigerian government laid out its drive to deliver a prosperous nation through addressing issues like service quality and provision, and management of a competitive market environment.
"We are strongly committed to providing the right regulatory framework to attract strong international investment," said Adebayo.
"We have vast potential in terms of human and manufacturing resources in Nigeria, and believe that our country can be the catalyst in bridging the digital divide across the continent."
When asked why large corporations should look at investing in Nigeria, when North Africa has the vast potential of tapping its Middle Eastern neighbours, while SA has a far stronger infrastructure, he claimed Nigeria is an ideal place to begin tapping the African market.
"Nigeria is a nation of some 130 million people, yet it has a very low teledensity, meaning it is a massive market to tap and it is also ideally placed for investors to spread their wings through the rest of Africa.
"We are not simply trying to encourage investors to come into our country, we are trying to entice them with favourable licensing and regulatory conditions."
He said the NCC is seeking investors who will provide long-distance telecommunications infrastructure - either fibre optic or radio-based - as well as fixed services in certain regions of the country.
"There are a number of licences that will be available to bid for, but we wish to receive an indication of interest from potential bidders first.
"Once we are aware of how widespread the interest is, we will see how many licences will be made available for the bidding process. We are confident that our incentives will attract a number of potential bidders."
Asked how he feels an issue such as the current court case between Econet Wireless International and Econet Wireless Nigeria and its management partner, Vodacom SA, may affect potential investment, he claimed that such a dispute should have no bearing on it.
"This issue is simply a business partnership that has gone sour. It is not an industry matter, it is a matter that is in the hands of the court and will be settled there," said Adebayo.
"This is an issue that occurs in all countries and should therefore not be something that is held against Nigeria in terms of potential future investment."
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