The stage is set for the WorldStage Economic Summit (WES 2023), scheduled to take place on Thursday, November 16, 2023, at the Event Centre, Nigerian Exchange Limited, 2/4 Customs Street, Lagos.
This high-profile event promises to bring together top infotech experts to address a special breakout session focusing on startups, a part of the summit themed “The Game Changers.”
In an official statement released by World Stage Limited, the organisers of the summit, it was announced that prominent figures in the information and communication technology (ICT) industry would play a pivotal role in this much-anticipated event. Mr. Aminu Maida, the newly appointed Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), will serve as the Guest of Honour and deliver a keynote address.
Additionally, Mr. Tim Akano, the CEO of New Horizons Nigeria, is set to present the theme paper titled “The Game Changers,” offering valuable insights into the rapidly evolving tech landscape. Mr. John Tani Obaro, the Group Managing Director (GMD) of SystemSpecs Holdings, Nigeria, will address the audience on the journey of startups from conception to launch.
While the summit’s primary focus is on the “National Dialogue on Electricity,” which will bring together key stakeholders from the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI), the breakout session on startups promises to shed light on the challenges and innovations in the ICT sector.
Notably, the newly appointed Minister of Power, Mr. Adebayo Adelabu, a significant player in the electricity business, is expected to deliver the keynote address during the National Dialogue on Electricity. Chief executives of key entities such as the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET) are also confirmed to participate, emphasizing the importance of this event in the power sector.
The National Dialogue on Electricity comes at a critical juncture when the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) is actively engaging the 11 successor Distribution Companies (DisCos) regarding their request for tariff review. Consumers have been vocal about the alleged extortive practice of estimated/arbitrary billing, calling for an effective metering plan and equitable solutions.
Mr. Segun Adeleye, President/CEO of World Stage, highlighted the profound challenges facing the power sector. Frustrations among operators and concerns of consumers, including manufacturers, who estimate their annual economic losses due to erratic power supply at about N10.1 trillion or two percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), underscore the urgency of addressing these issues.
The recent signing of the Nigeria Electricity Act 2023 by President Bola Tinubu raises hopes that it could be a game-changer for the electricity sector. Adequate energy supply has been recognized as a topmost national economic priority by the federal government, potentially paving the way for transformative developments in the industry.
The WorldStage Economic Summit is a platform conceived to tackle economic challenges through in-depth analysis and the application of practical solutions. It encourages public and private sector engagement in a research and innovation-driven approach, fostering new thinking in business initiatives, policy formulation, economic reform, and development.
WES 2023 marks the 11th installment in this prestigious series of conferences hosted by WorldStage. Those interested in participating in this landmark event can submit inquiries through worldstage2004@gmail.com. As the summit approaches, expectations are high that the insights and solutions generated during the event will serve as catalysts for positive change in Nigeria’s economic landscape.