The Abia State Government has announced a partnership with MTN Nigeria in a strategic move to improve the digital economy of the state.
The collaboration was formalised when the Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, Mr. Karl Toriola, led a delegation on a courtesy visit to Governor Alex Otti, culminating in the signing of a Memorandum of f Understanding (MoU) on Monday.
Governor Otti, who disclosed this on X (formerly Twitter), recounted that the partnership was proposed during the early days of his administration in 2023, describing it as a major step towards establishing Abia State as a leading digitally-enabled economy in Nigeria.
“By leveraging technology, we aim to enhance efficient governance, youth empowerment, and socio-economic growth across the state. We reaffirmed our commitment to providing all necessary support to ensure the initiative becomes a resounding success,” he stated.
He pointed out the key highlights of the collaboration, including statewide 3G broadband access to connect every Abian at a minimum, as well as dedicated cloud computing services for enhanced government efficiency.
Other highlights include a digital marketplace for merchants in Aba, Umuahia, Ohafia, and other commercial hubs; device ownership schemes for civil servants to provide access to essential digital tools; and the expansion of 4G and 5G networks across principal cities, ensuring fast and reliable connectivity.
The Governor also revealed that the MTN Nigeria team introduced the Aba-branded e-commerce platform, a fully-funded initiative designed to empower local businesses in the state by providing them access to global markets at no cost.
He expressed gratitude to the telecommunications service provider for partnering with Abia State in this “forward-thinking initiative”, adding that the partnership paves the way for a robust digital economy, shaping a future full of endless possibilities for the residents.
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