The managing director of Spectranet 4G LTE, Mr. Ajay Awasthi, has given clearer insights on why digital economy is growing globally and faster in Africa, saying “One key change happening across the global market led by more penetration of mobile broadband is online shopping”.
On why the online shopping will continue to drive broadband growth, he noted that as shoppers are growing, old and new online shopping firms are coming up with innovative access platforms powered by mobile internet and broadband facilities.
According to him, “You will see some mind boggling figures. For example, in China almost $752billion online transactions took place in the country. It is not just about the shopping, it completely changes market structures; gives opportunities to smaller businesses and entrepreneurs to enlist themselves on this huge market place and start selling from there”.
“Same is going to happen here within a short time. Entrepreneurs, artisans, etc., are going to enlist and get access to nations buying their products. Most of these online marketplaces are transforming the way businesses are being done.
“In Nigeria you have platforms like Jumia and Konga, who are professionals in that regard. However, for the ecosystem to be successful, it needs high speed broadband connectivity.
“That is precisely where we will come in. once you have high speed broadband, it gives you the opportunity to work from home; you need not pass through the traffics. Broadband empowers telemedicine and so many other things that get enabled.
However, Awasthi hinted that good access to education is another big transformation globally and more so in developing countries like Nigeria and other emerging markets.
He said “There are massive online courses available from very reputable universities. So, access to education has become very easy. But, the key thing there is broadband connectivity”.
“That is what is going to scale up the economy. Another important thing is bridging the digital divide. I was reading a report that Nigeria has almost 93 million people who have access to the internet,” Spectranet boss, averred.
