Nigeria’s Telecom Talent Gap Hinders MVNO Growth
The Nigerian telecommunications landscape is witnessing an interesting development: the acquisition of Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) licenses. Systegra Technologies, a subsidiary of the Interswitch Group, recently invested ₦500 million ($331,000) in a Tier 5 MVNO license. However, like many of the 46 other companies that have acquired such licenses, the news around their operations has been sparse. This situation begs the question: why are so many MVNOs struggling to gain traction in Nigeria’s dynamic telecom market?
The Talent Deficit in the MVNO Ecosystem
One key factor contributing to the MVNO stagnation is a deficit in telecom talent within Nigeria. According to Kenneth Nwabueze, Chairman of Vitel Wireless (one of only two active MVNOs identified by BusinessDay), the lack of individuals with comprehensive understanding of the business, from technological implementation to sales strategy, is a major hurdle. Nwabueze’s insights highlight a challenge: the Nigerian telecom sector hasn’t cultivated a robust pool of talent capable of navigating the complexities of MVNO operations end-to-end. This lack of skilled professionals, who understand the intricacies of setting up, running, and scaling an MVNO, contributes to the slow pace of growth within the sector.
The limited active MVNOs in the market paints a picture of missed opportunities and unfulfilled potential within Nigeria’s telecom sector. While the market presents substantial potential, the shortage of experienced professionals stands as a significant barrier to success for many new entrants.
Keywords
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