Luxembourg-based satellite operator SES S.A. yesterday announced it will be providing its SES capacity to Softwire Digital Solutions in order to implement countrywide e-learning solutions in Nigeria.
The multi-year contract was signed after Nigerian IT and capacity building services provider Softwire Digital Solutions was selected by the Nigerian Government as one of several to carry out a number of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) projects as a means of bridging the digital and information gap which exists in the rural areas of Nigeria and provide more e-learning facilities to the underserved areas. The capacity on SES' NSS-10 satellite will be employed by Softwire for the deployment of this ICT project, under the financing of the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF).
"We are proud to be associated with SES, as they have the expertise and the technical know-how to help us achieve our goals in Nigeria," stated Dalo Edetanlen, CEO Softwire Digital Solutions Limited. "Our partnership ensures that we will deliver quality services to our clients, particularly the USPF. We hope to leverage this relationship to expand our business and become one of the leading ISPs in the country".
"Many governments and public institutions on the continent have already begun to develop broadband policies to address this digital equality, but again are hindered by costs, infrastructure and inaccessible, non-urban populations," added Ibrahima Guimba-Saidou, Senior Vice President, SES Commercial in Africa. "Satellites have vast coverage and a reach that's undaunted by mountain, desert, jungle or savannah. Digital communications and broadband Internet are increasingly important to Nigeria and the continent's social and economic development. Our satellite broadband technology is able to deliver a wide range of services across Nigeria's non-urban population, to help drive growth and knowledge transfer".
