08 Event News
Over 1000 Telecommunications Professionals Meet at West & Central Africa Com in Abuja to Discuss Growth Strategies for the Region’s Market
After two days of intense debate, networking and business development, West & Central Africa Com closed its doors inAbuja, Nigeria, last week but not without announcing that it will return in June 2009 for an update on the market’s development.
The congress, supported by leading organisations such as the Nigerian Ministry of Information & Communications, the GSM Association, the African CDMA Forum and more, consisted of a high-level strategic conference covering the key issues in the region’s telecommunications market, as well as an exhibition showcasing the latest products and innovations from leading vendor companies based in the region and internationally.
The first day’s keynote session opened with presentations from representatives of the two leading operator groups in the region. MTN was represented by Christian de Faria, EVP for West & Central Africa, who said that the group saw the region as one of the main places to invest. Osondu C Nwokoro from Celtel Nigeria explained Zain/Celtel’s group’s strategy, based on a triple approach of technological enhancement, social engineering and product development differentiation. Relative newcomer in the region Etisalat discussed their plans to expand their presence in Africa, without however disclosing the exact date of their launch in Nigeria.
The keynote included an official address from the Ministry of Information and Communications of Nigeria; Engr Festus Daudu represented the Honourable Minister
John Ogar Odey, saying that “events such as the West and Central Africa Com congress are essential for us to share our experiences and ensure that such successes are replicated in other countries of the region.” The morning’s session ended with a keynote panel discussion looking specifically at the growth opportunities in Nigeria’s market, who recently took the lead asAfrica’s largest communications market. Panellists from Celtel, MTN and the Nigerian Senate’s Committee on Communications shared their views in a lively debate where consumers’ interests and relations between operators and policy makers formed most of the topics discussed.
The second day of the conference saw more keynote speakers discuss the key challenges and opportunities in the region’s market. Ahmad Farroukh, CEO of MTN Nigeria, highlighted his company’s focus on serving rural (or underserved) markets, insisting that as ARPU levels go down, the priority for MTN is to control costs in order to retain a healthy margin. He was followed by an address from Eng Bello representing the Nigerian Communications Commission’s EVC, who presented the strategic importance of technology-neutral licensing in the development of a healthy, competitive telecommunications market. The second day keynote panel focused on bridging the digital divide in the region. Colin Mukete from MTN Cameroon, David Kamara from ECOWAS, and Ogugua Chioke from GSM Africa, agreed that there is high demand for communications services in rural areas, and that operators and government agencies (including regional ones) must work together to improve access. Mr Mukete pointed out that one way of doing so is by encouraging infrastructure sharing, an idea that was put forward by other operators in previous debates.
On both days, participants could also access more specialised content, thanks to two streams per day (looking at wireless broadband, networks & infrastructure, competition and new services), as well as a free seminar open to all visitors to the exhibition.
The main topics addressed throughout the two days of debate were network improvements (including quality of service, infrastructure sharing, cost-effective investment), commercial strategies to remain competitive (including marketing and branding), regulation (and how operators and regulators can work together to improve services), and new services (data, roaming, finances).
For organiser Informa Telecoms & Media, the event was a success. “This was our first event to be held in Nigeria, after several years of organising the West Africa congress in Dakar, Senegal, says Julie Rey, Head of African & Asia-Pacific Region. It has not been without its challenges, but we are pleased to have made the move to the region’s largest market, where there is undoubtedly a great buzz about telecoms”. Participants to the congress, representing operators, regulators, analysts, media and vendors from the region and internationally, overwhelmingly welcomed the move to Abuja, and commended the programme content and organisation at the event.
The congress will be held again in Abuja on 17th and 18th June next year, with an update on the development of the region’s communications market, and more presentations from its leaders. In the meantime, the next stop for the region’s telecommunications professionals is AfricaCom, the continent’s annual congress, which will take place inCape Town on 18th and 19th November
For more information on upcoming events, please visit our website www.comworldseries.com
