Friday, 18 August, Abuja – The Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) hosted a business delegation from ZTE Nigeria, a subsidiary of the globally acclaimed ZTE Corporation—a renowned provider of integrated communications and information solutions. The meeting transpired earlier today, marking a significant step in fostering collaborative ventures between NIPC and the Corporation.
With an air of nostalgia, Hajja Gana Wakil, the Acting Executive Secretary/CEO of NIPC, reflected on her role as ZTE’s Desk Officer during the company’s foray into Nigeria more than two decades ago. She commended ZTE’s enduring commitment to investing in Nigeria—a testament that not only fuels economic growth but also resonates with the Commission’s mission of promoting investments that enhances employment opportunities for Nigerians.
Hajja Gana Wakil, while extending warm words of welcome, urged ZTE to explore the growing prospects within Nigeria’s telecommunications sector. The Acting ES/CEO who received the delegation alongside the Commission’s Management encouraged the delegation to tap into NIPC’s comprehensive support framework, capitalising on their established footprint in the country. Further amplifying her advice, she asked ZTE to consider localised manufacturing to harness Nigeria’s abundant raw materials, which could potentially stimulate a cascade of additional investments.
While affirming NIPC’s commitment to addressing ZTE’s operational concerns and challenges, Hajja Gana Wakil pledged proactive engagement with relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to facilitate seamless business operations within Nigeria. Her advice also extended to ZTE’s potential role in inspiring other Chinese enterprises to establish their presence in Nigeria, contributing to the nation’s growth trajectory.
In reciprocation, the head of the visiting delegation, Mr. Bu Xiaoyu, Deputy Managing Director of ZTE Nigeria, expressed gratitude for NIPC’s gracious reception and the opportunity to engage constructively.
According to the visiting team, ZTE Nigeria currently employs 300 staff of which 60% are Nigerians. Founded in 1985, the conglomerate’s comprehensive offerings encompass diverse sectors such as wireless communication, exchange, optical transmission, data telecommunications gear, and consumer devices including smartphones, terminals, and tablets. ZTE is also known for its self-marketed products and functions as a prominent Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). The corporation has earned its reputation as a leader in integrated communications and information solutions, operating in over 160 countries and boasting a substantial subscriber base of approximately 2 billion worldwide.
This recent interaction between the Commission and ZTE emanated from a catalyst within NIPC itself— Engr. Savior Umoette, a Principal Investment Officer in the department of Policy Advocacy. As a delegate at a recent Seminar on Reform and Governance of State-owned Enterprises for African Countries, Engr. Umoette participated in study tours to prominent State-owned Enterprises, including ZTE in China. This expedition culminated in ZTE China’s counsel to their Nigerian counterpart to initiate further discussions with NIPC.
Accompanying the Head of the business delegation on this visit were Mr. Song Quigwei, Head Engineering, ZTE Abuja Office and Mr. Oluwajoba Awoniyi, Chief Solution Engineer.
