Seven local original equipment manufacturers exist in Nigeria
Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Dr. Isa Pantami, has disclosed that Nigeria currently have seven local Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), but they can only meet about 20 per cent of the local demand for computer hardware.
Pantami dropped the hint when he spoke to partnerships and potential investors at Africa Investment Forum as part of activities at the just concluded GITEX 2017, Dubai World Trade Centre; and invited them to tap into Nigeria’s great potentials in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector.
He said the Agency will be eager to facilitate the establishment of world class Original Design Manufacturing (ODM) factories in Nigeria to guarantee quality components assembly locally.
“We also have a good investment opportunity in the hardware sector. The computer hardware industry has seen a lot of investment from Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).
The Ikeja Computer Village is the largest technology market cluster in West Africa; and is estimated to contribute about $2bn to Nigeria’s economy annually,” he said.
He said, “Nigerians are very hospitable people. Our President recently established the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PBEC) to further improve the investment climate in the country and we are implementing an Executive Order.”
Hon. Onawo Mohammed Ogoshi, Chairman, House of Representative Committee on Information Technology, disclosed that the government has developed specific ICT policies to attract and retain investment, while NITDA is implementing an Action Plan that is aimed at transforming Nigeria into a knowledge-based society.
“Government is looking forward to welcoming new investors into the country and this is proven by the level of collaboration exhibited today between the executive and legislator during the African Investment Forum,” Ogoshi added.
