.Seals partnership deals with U.S. companies

Anambra State government mulls the establishment of an Internet Exchange Point (IXP) in the state.

An IXP is a physical location through which Internet infrastructure companies such as Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and CDNs connect.

Disclosing the development, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Anambra State ICT Agency, Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata, said the Chukwuma Soludo-led administration is keen on driving the state through technology – reasons for various ICT initiatives.

Agbata, who said ISPs in the state are excited about the possibilities that will beckon on the state via these initiatives, informed that there is a pilot phase of the Public Wi-Fi (Solution Wi-Fi), which has been activated at Aroma Junction, Book foundation and Unizik Gate, Ifite Awka.

He disclosed that in terms of infrastructure enhancement, the state has moved ahead with full implementation of the Zero Right of Way (RoW) policy.

“Governor Soludo’s bold move to strengthen infrastructure has led to the full implementation of the Zero Right of Way (RoW) policy. This has motivated InfraCos to deepen tech infrastructure in the state by laying off fibre ducts, resulting in improved quality of service across the State. Anambra remains one of the few states currently implementing the Zero ROW policy as a first step towards fully deepening broadband penetration,” he stated.

According to Agbata, the ICT agency, through its baseline Study of E-government Infrastructure in the state has set the stage for a digital revolution in the civil service. He said this initiative resulted in Governor Soludo’s approval of the procurement and distribution of the first batch of 200 state-of-the-art PCs and laptops to various ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), advancing the objectives of digitization and professionalism across the public sector.

He said 2024 would witness the distribution of more digital tools to more civil and public servants in line with Mr. Governor’s promise of modernizing the State’s workforce.

In a related development, the state government has forged a strategic alliance with leading U.S. high-tech companies.

This was done at the weekend, at the US Consulate General in Lagos; Soludo led other executives of the state to a strategic discussion with the U.S. Consul-General, William Stevens, and influential leaders from 26 renowned US high-tech companies.

The meeting aimed to explore avenues for collaboration, forge corporate alliances, and foster technological partnerships to accelerate Anambra State’s growth. The meeting also provided an opportunity to enhance strategic partnerships for economic development and the exchange of technologies, fostering shared prosperity between Anambra State, its tech companies, and their counterparts in the United States.