President Bola Tinubu has assured prospective investors that his administration will provide a better business climate for them to thrive in Nigeria.
Tinubu made the vow during a meeting with the Founder and Global Chairman of Bharti Airtel, Sunil Bharti Mittal, and Africa Group Chief Executive, Segun Ogunsanya, and their team at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday, June 19.
The President, who recalled his connection with Airtel when it started as Econet while he was Lagos State Governor, said he facilitated and supported the entry of the telecommunication company into Nigeria to liberalise the telecom industry.
He hailed the growth of the company and welcomed the offer of partnership to further deepen economic growth and eradicate poverty among Nigerians.
President Tinubu also commended the economic strength of India, noting that technology helped the country to pull millions out of extreme poverty.
Tinubu said: “I have a connection with Airtel. We brought Econet to Nigeria when I was governor of Lagos State. I was a main promoter then because we needed to liberalise the telecom industry. The economy of Asia headed by India is very phenomenal because of reforms. We are ready to copy India.
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“Digital economy is very crucial. We are not ashamed to copy any model that works. I congratulate Airtel for the growth of your business in Nigeria. We are looking forward to the growth and expansion of your 5G network in Nigeria. Airtel should continue to promote Nigeria.
“I assure you that your investment is very safe and will continue to grow. We are working to improve business environment for all investors.”
On his part, Mittal congratulated President Tinubu and offered him the goodwill of his company and that of his country, India, noting that besides being a businessman and investor in Nigeria he is a member of Business Advisory Council of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He commended Tinubu for the key decisions he has taken within three weeks in office, which he said have put Nigeria back on global business reckoning.
“I came here to make a request, but I have to say thank you first. We are grateful for what you have done with the removal of fuel subsidy and fixing the foreign exchange. This will open a floodgate of foreign investments.
“You have taken these bold steps. It is important to stand firm. Airtel is a robust telecom company and we are ready to serve Nigeria,” Mittal stated.
Speaking on the challenge of vandalism of telecom infrastructure, Ogunsanya enjoined President Tinubu to prioritise it as a national security issue that should be addressed.
On his part, the Special Adviser to the President on Monetary Policy, Wale Edun, said Tinubu had always recognised the transformational power of technology and telecommunication for economic growth since his time as governor of Lagos State.
