The Information Technology Association of Nigeria has advised IT firms in the country to organise their operations to facilitate the sourcing of industry funds.
The association, in its Local Content Patronage/Networking and Exhibition forum held in Lagos, called on players in the industry to “come out” and position themselves for external financing.
Speaking at the forum, the President, ITAN, Mrs. Florence Seriki, said it was time to empower IT entrepreneurs and show them the way forward in developing their businesses like other growing industries in the country.
Seriki said the idea, which was targeted at further exposing firms to the outside world, would be incorporated in the association’s quarterly schedule.
“With this, It entrepreneurs will be exposed to how they can get funding and link up with the second-tier market,” she added.
The forum held with experts from both NEXTZONE, an advisory and venture management firm and the Nigerian Contents Development and Monitoring Board, also examined how local contents in the Information and Communication Technology industry could be properly harnessed.
The Vice President, ITAN, Mr. Emmanuel Amos, also stressed the importance of having the forum to ensure proper synergy and collaboration with all other stakeholders in the industry.
Also speaking, a member of the Board of ITAN, Mr. Dele Ajisomo, said there was a new dimension in the ways things were going in the industry with the current ITAN board.
Stating that indigenous IT companies needed to be supported, Ajisomo said, “The major thing we need really is funding; we have a lot of human capacity. So, the new ITAN board is looking for the people to help us source for funding through collaboration, training and brainstorming.