The Katsina State Government has called for stronger cooperation between the public and private sectors to expand fibre optic infrastructure and improve access to affordable digital connectivity across the state.
The Director-General of the Katsina State Investment Promotion Agency (KIPA), Ibrahim Jikamshi, made the call on Thursday at a sensitisation programme on fibre optic deployment and connectivity in Katsina.
The event brought together regulators, policymakers, infrastructure providers, telecommunications operators, internet service providers and members of the business community to discuss ways of creating a more conducive environment for investment in digital infrastructure.
Jikamshi said fibre optic networks should no longer be regarded simply as telecommunications infrastructure, describing them as essential to attracting investment, improving business competitiveness and creating new economic opportunities.
“Fibre optics infrastructure is not simply a telecommunications issue. It is an important part of the infrastructure required to attract investment, improve business competitiveness, support innovation and expand economic opportunities amongst our citizens,” he said.
He noted that dependable internet connectivity had become an increasingly important factor for businesses when deciding where to establish operations and how efficiently to run them.
“Investors require connectivity just as they require access to electricity, roads, land and markets,” he said.
According to the KIPA chief, small and medium-sized businesses rely on internet services to reach customers and access digital financial services, while schools, healthcare facilities and government institutions are increasingly dependent on digital infrastructure to provide essential services.
He said the state government had continued to invest in expanding fibre optic infrastructure but stressed that deployment alone was insufficient if the networks did not translate into affordable and accessible services for residents.
“The challenge before us now is to ensure that this infrastructure translates into actual and affordable connectivity for businesses, institutions and homes. That is the essence of today’s engagement,” Jikamshi said.
He explained that the sensitisation programme was also designed to identify investment opportunities across the fibre optic value chain, particularly in extending last-mile connectivity to underserved areas of Katsina State.
Jikamshi said prospective internet service providers and other investors needed clarity on regulatory and licensing requirements, while existing operators should have an opportunity to raise commercial, technical and administrative issues affecting their ability to expand.
Among the issues identified for discussion were the scope for additional investment, barriers preventing existing fibre infrastructure from reaching more users, the requirements of operators seeking to expand, strategies for attracting additional service providers and ways of making connectivity more affordable.
He said bringing regulators, government agencies, infrastructure providers, telecommunications companies, internet service providers and businesses together was intended to create a common platform for identifying and addressing obstacles in the sector.
Jikamshi urged operators and investors to openly highlight investment opportunities, challenges and the assistance required to expand their activities in the state.
“We equally encourage our government institutions to listen carefully because creating an enabling investment environment requires continuous engagement between the government and the private sector,” he said.
The KIPA director-general said the success of Katsina’s digital infrastructure programme should not be assessed solely by the number of kilometres of fibre optic cable installed.
Instead, he said, the key indicators should include the number of households, businesses and public institutions connected to the network and the economic opportunities created as a result of improved digital access.
