The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) says small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and startups are catalysts for promoting wealth creation, employment generation and economic prosperity.

NCC executive commissioner (technical services) Ubale Maska said this at the inauguration of the National SMEs/Entrepreneurship Forum for Startups in Emerging Technologies organised by the agency on Thursday in Abuja.

Mr Maska expressed NCC’s support for President Bola Tinubu’s transformative agenda to turn around the economy through SMEs, Startups and other technological innovations.

He said they will play a key role in the transformative process to restore the country’s economy fully.

Mr Masaka explained, “The national SMEs/entrepreneurship programme represents a significant stride forward as it presents a platform for Startups to translate their innovative concepts into tangible reality. It also presents an invaluable opportunity for entrepreneurs to acquire knowledge, expand their enterprises and contribute meaningfully to the advancement of our nation.

“We find ourselves on the cusp of a new era, one in which SMEs and Startups assume a leading role in propelling our economy forward, generating employment opportunities and shaping the trajectory of our collective future.”

He added, “Let us seize this moment to nurture our spirits and collaboratively construct a prosperous future for our nation.”

Bernard Ewah, the director of eGovernance Development at the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), described the forum as timely.

Mr Ewah said the information and communication technology sector had undergone a series of transformations to change narratives and alter the landscape of business and society.

According to him, Nigeria’s SMEs and startups cannot afford to be left behind in the competitive environment. He said they were needed to create employment opportunities, generate wealth and help transform the economy to be globally competitive.

“In this gathering, we converge to address the best strategies to stay ahead of the curve in the telecommunications emerging technologies investment space,” added Mr Ewah. “Skills for creating MVPs (minimum valuable products/services) and achieving effective problem/solution fit for telecom entrepreneurs.”

(NAN)