AS the build up to the West African ICT Congress (WAFICT) gathers momentum, Visafone, Nigeria’s Code Division Multiple Access operator and Phase 3 Telecom, a leading aerial fibre optic network provider, have booked their slots as Silver Sponsors of the Congress, which takes place in Lagos from October 18-20, 2011.

The two telecom service providers have joined several organisations who have continued to show interest to participate in the event, which had been endorsed by the Federal Government through the Minister of Information and Communications, Labaran Maku, as the platform to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Nigerian telecom revolution.

With this, the two companies have demonstrated their commitment to developing the ICT industry, while at the same time delivering values to their customers. Recall that Airtel Nigeria, a leading telecommunications services provider, had earlier confirmed its participation at the event as platinum sponsor.

The WAFICT Congress 2011, which is to be held in Lagos alongside the 11th edition of West Africa’s leading ICT exhibition, the West African International Telecommunications and Information Communication Technology exhibition (W.Afri.Tel), is already attracting national and international endorsements, interests and distinguish speakers line up.

The Congress will draw speakers and participants from within West Africa and beyond, with leading ICT ministers across the sub-region lined up to grace the event. Participants for the conference will be drawn from operating ICT and telecom companies, GSM and CDMA operators, the banking sector, the legal profession, the oil and gas sector, government agencies, regulatory bodies, consumer advocacy groups, the academia, value added service providers and Internet Service Providers, among others.

WAFICT Congress is being organised by Africa’s foremost ICT magazine, IT & Telecom Digest, in conjunction with the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO). Congress to open new ICT frontiers for West Africa, as W.Afri.Tel clocks 10 with the theme “The Emerging New Frontier: Opportunities and Potentials for Sustainable Growth in West Africa”.
WAFICT Congress 2011 is designed to expose the sub-region to the many challenges that must be surmounted if the sub-region is to enjoy the full benefits of a robust policy direction, firm and transparent regulatory environment and technology acceptability in line with changing global trends.

In a statement, IT & Telecom Digest, organisers of WAFICT stated: “Following an exceptionally explosive debut in 2009, the West African ICT Congress is poised for a phenomenal outing this October 18-20 at a more conducive and cozy venue, the Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.