Social media platform, Facebook has opened its first African technology hub in Nigeria, The Guardian reports.
Located at Mongomery, Yaba, a suburb of Lagos, it is named NG_Hub.
The hub, which is equipped with modern technologies, also boasts of
several work spaces.
In the likes of the CCHUBs, NG_Hub, it was gathered that it was
established to further deepen advance technology, including Artificial
Intelligence, Augmented Reality, Machine Learning, Internet of Things,
among others in the country.
At the unveiling, Facebook also disclosed that it planned to
empower about 50,000 young Nigerians with digital training, which had
started.
Facebook, which claimed that there are 26 million daily active
users of the plaftorm in Nigeria, explained that it was keen on enabling
a robust technology ecosystem in the country.
According to the Vice President, Product Partnership, Facebook, Ime
Archibong, the launch was about what the platform can do to enhance the
great development in the ICT sphere of the country.
Archibong revealed that so much investment went into the project, which started seven months ago.
He said the NG_Hub would service the entire ICT ecosystem, including, SMEs.
From his perspective, Facebook’s Manager, Developers Programme,
Emeka Afigbo, the hub would provide opportunities for businesses to be
formed and developed.
Afigbo, who revealed that lots of SMEs rely on Facebook to drive
their businesses, noted that most businesses thriving today were built
through the social media platform.
According to him, as part of drive to develop the ecosystem,
Facebook has started the process of training 50,000 young people in
digital skills so as to be able to leverage technology to stimulate
economic growth.
At a post-event interview with The Guardian, Facebook’s Director,
Public Policy, Africa, Ebele Okobi, the choice of Nigeria to be first
destination in Africa was because of the strategic importance of the
country in Africa to the technology company.
Besides, Okobi said there has been a very strong technology ecosystem, which is fast emerging from Nigeria, “which must be nurtured and supported adequately.”
She revealed that Facebook will be working with some partners,
including CCHUB, Digify, APCON, She Leads Africa, Tripple A, among
others to drive the initiative and makes it more beneficial to the
country and Africa as a whole.
From the Office of the Vice President, the Special Assistant on
Innovation and Entrepreneurship to the VP, Ife Adebayo, the hub should
further enhance ICT development in Nigeria.
Adebayo revealed that the VP, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, is committed to the advancement of technology in the country,
“reason he personally toured about 10 tech hubs recently so as to have
first hand information about them and to know areas of challenges.”
He urged the tech ecosystem to come together as a body in order to be able to influence government policies adequately.
For the Bosun Tijani, Co-Founder, CCHUB, by the launch, the next 10
years would be great for the country because of the enormous
development that would come thereafter through the hub.
According to him, tech keeps evolving but requires an ecosystem that encourages, allows developments.
“Today is another level of development. Technology gives us the
chance to build new solutions for the country. Technology in the last
20 years has enabled several industries, even governments,” he stressed.