The news:
- The Nigerian government has entered a strategic partnership with Ericsson to explore the potential of 5G technology in the country.
- The collaboration was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed during a delegation visit to Ericsson's global headquarters in Sweden, led by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
- The MoU establishes a framework for cooperation between the Nigerian government and Ericsson Nigeria, focusing on the development, deployment, and innovation of 5G technology.
Nigeria, as Africa’s most populous nation, represents over 15% of the continent's population, making this partnership crucial for driving digital transformation across various sectors.
Key objectives of the agreement include supporting Nigeria's digital transformation initiatives, which aim to boost economic growth and enhance public services through advanced, secure, and reliable 5G technology.
Additionally, the partnership seeks to foster knowledge exchange and capacity building within the technology sector, enabling the establishment of innovation hubs and tech incubators in Nigeria, and improving digital literacy and skills development.
The high-profile delegation accompanying Vice President Shettima included Nigeria’s Foreign Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar and Dr Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy.
The visit to Ericsson was hosted by Patrick Johansson, Head of Ericsson Middle East and Africa, and included a tour of Ericsson’s Imagine Live Studio, showcasing various 5G technologies.
During the two-hour visit, discussions covered a range of topics, including Ericsson's history in Africa, technology evolution, spectrum management, standardisation, and cybersecurity.
The MoU was signed by Dr Bosun Tijani on behalf of the Nigerian government, while Patrick Johansson and Peter Olusoji Ogundele, Head of Ericsson Nigeria, signed for Ericsson.
Johansson expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, saying, "It was an honour to show the Vice President and his delegation Ericsson's leadership in 5G technology capabilities. We look forward to collaborating closely with the Nigerian government to harness the innovation potential of 5G for businesses, citizens, and national digital competitiveness.
Ericsson has maintained a presence in Nigeria since 1978, having supported significant network deployments, including the launch of the country's first GSM network in 2001.
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This partnership marks a pivotal step towards solidifying Nigeria's position as a leader in digital innovation within Africa.
