Indian delegation to tap Africa's IT market

ACCRA, GHANA: An Indian business delegation is to visit Nigeria and Ghana as part of an African tour in order to tap into the continent's growing IT market which it said is headed for growth this year with market levels expected to reach $26.53 billion.

The NASSCOM delegation is due to visit Ghana and Nigeria during September 15-22 as part of the group's Global Trade Development Initiative to explore new geographies for its members, a statement said.

NASSCOM, the premier trade body and the chamber of commerce of the IT-BPO industries in India, has more than 1200 members, which include both Indian and multinational companies that have a presence in India.

The statement said the delegation would also visit Kenya which, it said, has "the most aggressive ICT economy in East Africa with the government being proactive and willing to invest in the sector".

"Nigeria is the second biggest economy in Africa and is the largest in terms of its population and opportunity," the statement said, adding that "Ghana offers the most suitable investment climate in the region and is often referred to as the Gateway to West Africa. This delegation would give ample exposure and flavour of the entire African continent."

The delegation is led by Jai Menon, Group CIO of Bharti Enterprises & Director of Global Innovation & IT, Airtel, and Anil Bakht, Managing Director, Eastern Software Systems.