IHS Nigeria, a leading provider of shared communications infrastructure services, had a prominent presence at the 31st Nigerian Economic Summit (NES #31), reinforcing its position as a key driver of Nigeria’s digital transformation and a contributor to the nation’s digital economy development.
Held in Abuja from October 6 to 8, this year’s summit, themed “The Reform Imperative: Building a Prosperous and Inclusive Nigeria by 2030”, convened public and private sector leaders to explore actionable strategies for inclusive economic growth.
As a platinum sponsor and thought leader, driving conversations on digital infrastructure, innovation, and national competitiveness, IHS Nigeria hosted a high-profile plenary session titled “Smart Growth, Digital Leap,” moderated by technology leader Nkemdilim Uwaje Begho.
In his keynote address, Executive Vice President and CEO of IHS Nigeria, Mohamad Darwish, stated that “digital infrastructure has become the backbone of national productivity.” He highlighted the company’s commitment to sustainable infrastructure, rural connectivity, and digital skills development, noting that bridging Nigeria’s digital divide requires robust public–private collaboration.
Darwish emphasized the need to reposition digital infrastructure, innovation, and talent as “core inputs for economic growth, not peripheral sectors,” while outlining IHS’s contributions, including over 16,000 towers nationwide and 15,000 kilometres of fibre network that power Nigeria’s connectivity backbone.
The panel discussion that followed brought together leading voices in technology, finance, and policy — including Founder, Future Africa, Iyinoluwa Aboyeji; CFO, I-Systems Brazil, Fernando Barros; CEO, CitiBank Nigeria, Nneka Enwereji; and the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani.
Discussions focused on how Nigeria can leverage digital infrastructure and innovation as engines of economic transformation. Panellists agreed that achieving “smart growth” requires bold private-sector investment, a stable regulatory environment, and large-scale talent development.
Dr. Tijani highlighted ongoing government efforts, including broadband expansion, AI research funding, and the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) initiative, emphasizing the need for “policy execution with measurable impact.”
Aboyeji advocated for digital economic zones to serve as innovation test-beds, while Barros urged cross-country learning through data-driven strategies, highlighting case studies from Brazil that Nigeria can learn from. From a finance perspective, Enwereji stressed the importance of predictable policies and transparent governance to attract long-term investment. Consumer tech reviews
The session concluded with consensus that Nigeria’s digital leap depends on three critical enablers, namely: infrastructure, investment, and talent, all working together within a clear and innovation-friendly policy framework.
On Day 2 of the summit, IHS Nigeria contributed actively to one of the NES31 Design Workshops, which focused on translating discussions into actionable initiatives.
Working groups addressed three priority areas: Value Chain Development, Investment, and Policy and Regulatory Environment, generating practical solutions around traceability, data standards, and inclusive access.
Participants proposed six-month pilot projects emphasizing data integrity, education, and cost efficiency, alongside measurable KPIs to evaluate progress.
The discussions reinforced the role of private-sector innovation in accelerating Nigeria’s digital and economic reform agenda.
IHS reiterated its commitment to expanding broadband infrastructure, supporting national policy reforms, and investing in youth digital skills.
By championing collaboration between public institutions and private innovators, IHS Towers continues to position itself at the center of Nigeria’s digital future; connecting communities, powering industries, and enabling growth.
A major highlight came during the opening day when the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima (GCON), officially declared the summit open. During a tour of the exhibition stands, the Vice President, who was received at the IHS booth by senior executives of the company, commended IHS for its commitment to corporate social responsibility and for its contributions to expanding broadband access and advancing economic inclusion through connectivity.
