Naija247news reports that Dr. Olayemi Cardoso, a leading economist and policy expert, has called for the establishment of a localized supply chain in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector to drive economic growth, reduce dependency on imports, and create jobs. Cardoso made the appeal during a keynote address at the Nigerian Telecom Leadership Summit held in Abuja on Friday, emphasizing the need for Nigeria to harness its vast resources and human capital to build a self-reliant telecom industry.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!According to Naija247news, Cardoso highlighted the sector’s over-reliance on foreign equipment and technology, which accounts for over 70% of its operational costs. He argued that developing a local supply chain for critical components such as fiber optic cables, routers, and smartphones would not only reduce costs but also position Nigeria as a regional hub for telecom innovation.
Naija247news gathered that Cardoso’s proposal includes the creation of special economic zones dedicated to telecom manufacturing, incentives for local investors, and partnerships with global tech giants to facilitate knowledge transfer. He also stressed the importance of government policies that encourage research and development in the sector, particularly in areas like 5G technology and broadband infrastructure.
“Nigeria has the potential to become a global player in the telecom industry if we prioritize local content and invest in homegrown solutions,” Cardoso stated. He pointed to countries like India and China, which have successfully localized their telecom supply chains, as models for Nigeria to emulate.
Naija247news understands that Cardoso’s call has garnered support from key stakeholders in the telecom sector, including the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON). ALTON’s Chairman, Gbenga Adebayo, described the proposal as “a visionary step” that aligns with the federal government’s local content agenda. He, however, urged the government to address challenges such as inadequate power supply and multiple taxation, which have hindered the growth of local manufacturing.
According to *mNaija247news, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has already begun exploring initiatives to promote local content in the telecom sector. The commission recently launched a program to train local engineers in the maintenance and production of telecom equipment, with plans to establish a telecom equipment manufacturing plant in the near future.
While the proposal has been widely applauded, some industry analysts have raised concerns about the feasibility of achieving a fully localized supply chain in the short term. Naija247news reports that Cardoso has called for a phased approach, starting with the production of low-tech components and gradually moving to more complex equipment.
As Nigeria’s telecom sector continues to expand, the push for a localized supply chain could mark a turning point in the country’s quest for technological independence.
