Opeke: Shared infrastructure, lower costs vital to market access

In a recent interview at this year's Zenith Bank Tech Fair, Funke Opeke, the Founder of MainOne, highlighted the importance of shared infrastructure, lower costs, and the elimination of regulatory barriers in ensuring a thriving tech ecosystem in Nigeria. Opeke emphasized the need for innovative business models to drive internet penetration and improve the quality of services provided to users across the country. She recognized the stagnation in penetration rates in both urban and rural areas and underscored the potential of new technologies like low orbit satellites and Starlink in bridging the digital divide. Opeke called for collaborative efforts within the industry and among government stakeholders to develop strategies that would promote infrastructure sharing, reduce costs, and expand access to technology for the Nigerian populace. She urged the government to focus on driving demand for digital services, particularly in education and governance, to create an enabling environment for tech businesses to thrive. Addressing a room full of young innovators at the event, Opeke encouraged them to remain laser-focused on delivering value to their customers, advising them to adapt to changing market dynamics and carefully manage their costs to sustain growth. She emphasized the importance of scalability and urged the innovators to revise their strategies to align with the evolving tech landscape. In response to concerns about future challenges such as fiber optic cable repairs and urbanization, Opeke reassured stakeholders of the industry's preparedness to handle such incidents. She highlighted the implementation of redundancy measures, such as multiple cable routes and capacity integration, to ensure service continuity in the face of disruptions. Opeke expressed optimism about the investment potential in Nigeria, citing the country's demographic advantages and the innovative capabilities of its youth population as key drivers of future growth. Overall, Opeke's insights shed light on the opportunities and challenges facing Nigeria's tech ecosystem, emphasizing the need for collaboration, innovation, and strategic focus to drive sustainable development in the sector.