The Katsina State Government has called for increased private sector investment in fibre optic infrastructure and broadband services to expand digital connectivity for businesses, public institutions and households across the state.
The call was made at a sensitisation programme on fibre optic deployment organised by the Katsina State Investment Promotion Agency (KIPA) at the State Secretariat Complex in Katsina.
The programme, themed “Creating an Enabling Investment Environment for Fibre Optic Deployment and Connectivity”, brought together regulators, policymakers, infrastructure providers, telecommunications operators, internet service providers and members of the business community.
Representing KIPA at the event, Ibrahim Tukur Jikamshi said fibre optic infrastructure should be regarded as critical economic infrastructure rather than merely a telecommunications concern.
He said reliable digital connectivity was increasingly influencing business location decisions, operational efficiency, competitiveness and innovation.
“Reliable digital connectivity now determines where businesses locate and how efficiently they operate. Investors require connectivity in the same way they require electricity, roads, land and access to markets,” Jikamshi said.
He noted that small businesses depended on digital connectivity to reach customers and access financial services, while government institutions, schools and healthcare facilities required reliable internet services to deliver their functions effectively.
Jikamshi said the state government had continued to invest in expanding fibre optic infrastructure but stressed that the immediate priority was to ensure the infrastructure provided affordable and accessible connectivity to end users.
According to him, the engagement was aimed at identifying investment opportunities across the fibre value chain, particularly in strengthening last-mile connectivity, while helping investors understand relevant regulatory and licensing requirements.
KIPA also provided existing operators with an opportunity to outline the commercial, technical and administrative challenges hindering further investment and suggest measures that could attract additional service providers.
Jikamshi said the programme was expected to produce practical outcomes, including clearer investment opportunities, stronger collaboration among stakeholders and a defined pathway for converting existing and planned fibre infrastructure into last-mile connectivity.
He urged operators and prospective investors to openly communicate the opportunities and challenges they faced, as well as the support required to expand their operations.
He also called on government institutions to pay attention to concerns raised by private sector operators.
“The ultimate measure of progress will not be the kilometres of fibre deployed, but the number of businesses, homes and institutions connected, and the economic opportunities created through improved digital access,” he said.
Jikamshi commended the Katsina State Government for its efforts to improve the investment climate and promote digital transformation across the state.
