President Bola Tinubu has affirmed his commitment to providing a conducive business environment for prospective investors in Nigeria. He made this assurance during a meeting with Mr. Sunil Bharti Mittal, the Founder and Global Chairman of BHARTI AIRTEL, along with Mr. Segun Ogunsanya, Africa Group Chief Executive, and their team at the State House in Abuja.
President Tinubu, reminiscing about his historic connection with the telecommunications company when it was known as Econet Wireless during his tenure as Governor of Lagos State, expressed his support for its entry into Nigeria, which helped liberalize the telecom industry.
Acknowledging the growth of Airtel in Nigeria, President Tinubu welcomed the company’s offer of partnership to further drive economic growth and alleviate poverty among Nigerians. He commended the economic strength of India, particularly how technology has lifted millions out of extreme poverty in the world’s largest democracy.
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“I have a connection with Airtel. We brought Econet to Nigeria when I was Governor of Lagos State. I was a main promoter then because we needed to liberalize the telecom industry. The economy of Asia, headed by India, is very phenomenal because of reforms. We are ready to copy India,” President Tinubu stated.
Highlighting the importance of the digital economy, the President expressed his willingness to emulate successful models. He congratulated Airtel on its business growth in Nigeria and expressed anticipation for the expansion of its 5G network in the country, urging the company to continue promoting Nigeria.
President Tinubu reassured the Airtel delegation that their investment is secure and will continue to thrive. He emphasized the government’s dedication to improving the business environment for all investors.
During his presentation, Mr. Sunil Bharti Mittal, the Global Chairman of Bharti Airtel, conveyed his congratulations to President Tinubu and extended the goodwill of his company and India. He noted that besides being a businessman and investor in Nigeria, he is also a member of the Business Advisory Council of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Mr. Mittal commended President Tinubu for the key decisions taken within the first three weeks of his administration, which have reinstated Nigeria’s position in the global business arena.
“I came here to make a request, but I have to say thank you first. We are grateful for what you have done with the removal of fuel subsidy and fixing the foreign exchange. This will open a floodgate of foreign investments. You have taken these bold steps. It is important to stand firm. Airtel is a robust telecom company, and we are ready to serve Nigeria,” added Mr. Mittal.
Addressing the challenge of telecom infrastructure vandalism, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya appealed to President Tinubu to prioritize it as a national security issue that needs urgent attention. He emphasized the need to protect telecom infrastructure as critical national assets.
“We believe in the digital transformation of Nigeria. I am committed to this country because I am Nigerian, and this market is the biggest under my portfolio. We can take millions of our people out of poverty with the digital transformation of our economy,” said Mr. Ogunsanya.
The Special Adviser to the President on Monetary Policy, Mr. Wale Edun, highlighted President Tinubu’s recognition of the transformative power of technology and telecommunications for economic growth, dating back to his time as Governor of Lagos State.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to fostering a strong partnership between the government and Airtel to drive economic progress and leverage digital transformation for the betterment of Nigeria and its people.
Dele Alake Special Adviser, Special Duties, Communications & Strategy.
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