Nigeria has reaffirmed its dedication to deepening its collaboration with Swedish technology firm Ericsson, with Vice President Kashim Shettima promising swift implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed earlier in 2024.
The vice president made this statement on Monday during a courtesy visit from a delegation representing Ericsson, led by its Senior Vice President and Head of Market Area for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, Mr Patrick Johansson. The meeting took place at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
During the engagement, Vice President Shettima described Ericsson as a key player in Nigeria’s technological journey, acknowledging the company’s early role in establishing a foundation upon which other major tech firms have since built.
He praised Ericsson for remaining a reliable ally in Nigeria’s developmental narrative, particularly commending its current initiatives such as the creation of innovation hubs and support for small and medium-sized enterprises. According to him, these actions serve to strengthen an already enduring partnership.
Encouraging Ericsson and other foreign investors to take advantage of the country’s vast potential, Shettima highlighted the vitality and promise of Nigeria’s youthful population.
“We cherish our relationship with Sweden and your company, and I must urge you to harness our manifest destiny. We are a large nation with a tech-savvy population. We are making efforts across different fields. A good number of the unicorns that we have in Africa are Nigerian-based. The future is Nigeria,” the vice president stated.
Mr Patrick Johansson echoed this sentiment, stressing the importance of reinforcing ties between Nigeria and Ericsson by championing local innovation and entrepreneurship. He noted these as key priorities for the company’s engagement in the region.
Adding to this, Ericsson’s Vice President and Head of Customer Units for West and South Africa, Majda Kassi, emphasised Nigeria’s significance in the company’s legacy. He reaffirmed Ericsson’s commitment to the country, recognising its growth potential and the broader mission to nurture a digital culture nationwide.