Huawei has launched its Innovation and Experience Center in Lagos, Nigeria. The opening ceremony had in attendance the Minister for Communications Technology, Adebayo Shittu; Chinese Consul General in Lagos, Mr. Chao Xiaoliang; Managing Director of Huawei Technologies Nigeria Ltd., Mr. Li Beifang; Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos (Inilag)，Prof. Duro Oni, as well as the senior executives from the major operators.
Huawei Innovation and Experience Center was built on 500 ㎡, and the total cost of the Center sums up to $6 million. It is established under the concept of “Cloud”; which enables visitors to share Huawei global resources. All players in the industry are welcomed to join and enjoy its unique contents. It is set up to be an experience center where people can witness global best practice, exchange ideas, explore business solutions through innovation and also a platform to develop win-win ICT ecosystems. The latest cutting edge ICT technologies such as 4.5G, Internet of Things and digital service innovation will be deployed on this platform.
Speaking on the occasion, Shittu said: “This is an epoch making event for a number of reasons, but most importantly is the fact that the present government is easily the first government to come on stage leveraging the benefits of the digital revolution with strategic partnership with Huawei Chinese company as a leading global supplier of ICT products, solutions and services. Therefore I would like to use this opportunity to express my appreciation on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria to Huawei Technologies for partnering with the Ministry in the area of Human and Institutional capacity development.”
Mr. Chao Xiaoliang, The Chinese Consular General in Lagos, said during his speech, “I would like to congratulate Huawei on the successful commissioning of the Innovation and Experience Centre. Chinese companies, such as Huawei, are willing to share their experience in ICT innovation in order to boost the social and economic development of Nigeria. I wish China and Nigeria a long-lasting relationship and prosperous future.”
Mr. Frank Li, the Managing Director of Huawei Technologies Company Nigeria Ltd., said Huawei is dedicated to investment of industry innovation driven by both customer needs and new technologies. Huawei will continuously adhere to its strategic focus, investment, and the relentless pursuit of strategic breakthrough to face all challenges together with its partners.
He concluded by stating that continuous investment and resources will be put into ICT innovation to drive the digital economy in Nigeria and in other African countries.
The Innovation and Experience Centre will also serve as a training platform to nurture more ICT talents thus Huawei Technologies Nigeria Limited will sign a Joint Innovation MoU with Unilag for this purpose.
The ICT Industry is one of the fastest growing sectors in the Nigerian economy, with a 30% yearly increase rate. Consequently at the second quarter of this year 2016, ICT industry has occupied 9.8% of Nigerian GDP.
In 1999, Huawei entered Nigeria. Over the last 17 years of development and growth, we have become a big family with over 1,200 staff of which 70% are locals. In order to assist Nigeria to develop its own ICT skills and infrastructure, Huawei Abuja ICT Training Center has trained more than 12,000 employee, customers, suppliers as well as partners. Last December, Huawei signed an MOU with The Federal Government of Nigeria, with the aim of providing more than 2,000 training opportunities to Nigerian youths.