SMEs, start-ups key to jobs and wealth creation — NCC

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on Thursday, November 30, said Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups are key to creating wealth, employment and economic prosperity.

The commission therefore threw its weight behind the transformative agenda of President Bola Tinubu to turn around the economy through SMEs, Start-ups, and other technological innovations.

It assured that it would play a key role in the transformative process to fully restore the country’s economy.

According to the executive commissioner of technical services of the NCC, Engr Ubale Maska, the Commission aligned with the policy of the present administration as spelt out by the Minister of Communications, Innovations and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani.

Maska made the remarks at the Digital Economy Complex, Mbora, Abuja, during the opening ceremony of the National SMEs/Entrepreneurship Forum for Start-ups in Emerging Technologies organised by the NCC. He was represented by Dr Chidi Diugwu, the Head of New Media and Information Security at the Commission.

Maska said: “The National SMEs/Entrepreneurship programme represents a significant stride forward as it presents a platform for Startups to translate their innovative concepts into tangible reality. It also presents an invaluable opportunity for entrepreneurs to acquire knowledge, expand their enterprises, and contribute meaningfully to the advancement of our nation.

“We find ourselves on the cusp of a new era, one in which SMEs and Start-ups assume a leading role in propelling our economy forward, generating employment opportunity, and shaping the trajectory of our collective future.

“Let’s seize the opportune moment, nurture our spirits, and collaboratively construct a prosperous future for our nation.”

Delivering a keynote address at the Forum, the Director of eGovernance Development at the National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, Dr Bernard Ewah described the forum as timely.

He said the telecommunications and Information and Communications Technology sectors have gone through a series of transformations to change narratives and alter the landscape of business and society.

According to Ewah Nigeria’s SMEs and Start-ups cannot afford to be left behind in the competitive environment as they are needed to create employment opportunities, generate wealth, and help transform the economy to be globally competitive.

Ewah asserted: “In this gathering, we converge to address a topic of paramount importance and relevance: “Best strategies to stay ahead of the curve in the telecommunications emerging technologies investment space: Skills for creating MVPs (Minimum Valuable Products/services) and achieving effective problem/solution fit for telecom entrepreneurs.

“Let us first navigate the current technological advancements transforming our industry. Technologies like 5G, IoT, and AI are not just reshaping global telecommunications but also presenting new paradigms in how we approach connectivity and data exchange.

“These innovations hold the key to unprecedented opportunities in sectors like healthcare, education, and commerce. However, with great potential comes great challenges.

“SMEs and startups often grapple with resource limitations, regulatory hurdles, and the daunting task of keeping pace with technological advancements. But within these challenges lie immense opportunities – the chance to pioneer solutions tailored to our unique market, the potential to tap into new consumer segments, and the opportunity to set a global benchmark in telecom innovation.”