Industry Leaders Call for Bold Investment Strategies to Power Nigeria’s Digital Future at Telecoms Forum

At the Nigeria Telecoms Forum, stakeholders across the telecommunications sector convened to address one of the industry’s most pressing challenges—how to sustainably finance next-generation digital infrastructure.

The session, titled “Financing the Next Generation Networks: Building a Sustainable Investment Ecosystem,” was moderated by Adesola Adesugba, a Marketing and Communications expert. The panel brought together prominent voices in the industry, including Shayo Olumide, Okey Ekweanya, Adesuwa (Tope) Imasekha, and Slawomir Cieslinski.

Discussions centered on the urgent need for innovative financing models to support the rollout of advanced telecommunications infrastructure. Panelists highlighted the importance of unlocking long-term capital, improving regulatory clarity, and strengthening investor confidence to attract both local and international funding. Public-private partnerships were also identified as a critical mechanism for bridging funding gaps and accelerating deployment.

Speakers emphasized that building resilient, future-ready networks will require not only financial investment but also collaboration across the ecosystem. With Nigeria’s growing demand for data, cloud services, and digital connectivity, the ability to scale infrastructure efficiently was described as essential to sustaining economic growth and enabling innovation.

Reflecting on the broader implications of the conversation, Adesugba pointed to the ongoing work of the WIOCC Group, which continues to expand high-capacity fibre networks and deliver cloud-ready infrastructure across Africa. Such initiatives, she noted, are instrumental in improving connectivity and positioning the continent for the next wave of digital transformation.

Beyond the panel discussions, the forum served as a platform for networking and collaboration among industry professionals, reinforcing the shared commitment to advancing Nigeria’s telecommunications landscape. The event, organized by Eventhive, drew commendation for fostering dialogue and partnership within the sector.