For Nigerian economy to move forward, government needs to invest in the businesses of the future which are technology dependent and entrepreneurs must also be disruptive for Financial Technology (FinTech) economic prosperity of the nation.
Executive Director, SystemSpecs, Deremi Atanda, made this assertion on the sideline at the Africa FinTech Foundry Disrupt Conference yesterday in Lagos.
According to Atanda government has to focus on technology to lead Nigeria to the desired economy that will create jobs and improve socio-economy prosperity of the nation.
Atanda who also joined panel of discussion on the sub-theme; From Growth to Sustainability- How FinTechs Can Survive and Thrive, at the forum, urged government to see FinTech as a unique opportunity and catalyst for a new economy supported by innovation and digital technology.
The Executive Director further enjoined government to create anbling framework and investors friendly business envinronment for FIntech sector to strive. He said, “There should be people who can see Fintech as a unique opportunity in government. To use FinTech to led Nigeria to the new economy it is just going to be beyond talk and if the citizen are going to make a demand for that, the citizen need to demand that government need not to miss this opportunity.
“We missed it with oil and now the younger people need to make an advocacy that government needs to look in the space of technology disruption, and this is going to create jobs as well.
He added, “It should be less about regulation. See, government see investment in this space as seed and not in times of investment they as going to expect return from. See, Government need to create that initial capacity for businesses to strive but today, you see government even expecting taxes from FinTechs and things which devalue even the systems and that is heart breaking, and those are the really issues that we really need to speak to moving forward.”
However, Obaro said Systemspec recognizes that technology is a major enabler of any thriving economy, and acknowledged the importance of building capacity in that area.
“Our firm will continue to partner with the government as part of our commitment on empowerment of the next generation of innovators who will drive the future of the nation’s economy. We know that
“Our vision is to lead efforts to develop the next generation of innovators and ensure that Nigeria becomes a net exporter of software technology solutions and services in the next few years,”
The inaugural edition of the Africa Fintech Foundry (AFF) Fintech conference had in attendance the best startups building products and solutions in the Financial Technology (FinTech) space, alongside investors, financial and technology partners, and a global audience of delegates from disparate industries to showcase next generation technologies and innovative solutions relevant to the financial services industry. Sessions on the day also included a keynote address, fireside chats, masterclasses, partner exhibitions and panel discussions.
Speakers at the event included former Minister of Communication Technology and Senior Partner at TLcom Capital, Mrs. Omobola Johnson; CEO, SystemLogic Group, South Africa, Audrey Mothupi; Founder, SASWARE Nigeria, Collins Onuegbu; Chief Technology Officer, Microsoft Nigeria, Hakeem Adeniji-Adele; Investment Officer, West Africa at Accion Nigeria, Ashley Lewis; Co-Founder/Managing Partner, Trans-Sahara Investment Corporation Nigeria, Kyari Bukar.
Other are Managing Director, SystemSpecs Nigeria, John Obaro; Managing Director/CEO, InfoGraphics Nigeria, Chinenye Mba-Uzoukwu; Chief Investment Officer, Coronation Capital, Ahovi Kponou; Managing Director, Accenture Financial Services, Toluwaleke Adenmosun, among many others.
