By Peace Udugba
The Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Nigeria, Dinesh Balsingh, has urged business leaders to adopt intelligent technology platforms to accelerate Nigeria’s digital transformation, boost productivity, and drive sustainable economic growth.
Balsingh made the call while speaking at the Lagos Business School (LBS) Breakfast Club on the theme, “From Telco to Techno.” He said the telecommunications industry is rapidly evolving beyond providing connectivity to becoming a key enabler of enterprise transformation and Nigeria’s digital economy.
According to him, while earlier generations of mobile technology focused on voice services, internet access, and broadband connectivity, the future lies in intelligent ecosystems powered by artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), satellite connectivity, and integrated enterprise solutions.
He noted that businesses now require more than connectivity, stressing that organisations are increasingly seeking technology solutions that improve productivity, strengthen cybersecurity, and accelerate digital transformation.
Balsingh explained that the telecommunications industry is shifting towards AI-powered customer protection, industry-specific digital solutions, IoT platforms, and hybrid satellite-terrestrial networks that can extend reliable connectivity to underserved communities and remote business locations.
He added that investments in digital infrastructure should focus on making businesses smarter, more resilient, and better equipped to support growth across all sectors of the economy.
The Airtel Nigeria CEO further observed that industries such as retail, education, healthcare, government, manufacturing, and oil and gas now require integrated digital solutions that combine connectivity with cloud services, intelligent networking, surveillance, automation, and data analytics.
He urged business leaders to rethink their digital priorities, saying organisations that invest in intelligent digital infrastructure today will be better positioned to compete in the future.
According to him, customers are no longer investing solely in connectivity but are seeking productivity, intelligence, and digital transformation that deliver measurable business outcomes.
The event also featured the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Resident Representative for Nigeria, Christian Ebeke, and formed part of the Lagos Business School Breakfast Club, a forum that brings together business executives and industry leaders to discuss emerging trends shaping enterprise and economic development.
Airtel Nigeria said its participation in the event reflects its commitment to supporting Nigeria’s digital transformation by providing innovative technology solutions that improve efficiency, strengthen resilience, and unlock new opportunities for businesses across the country’s growing digital economy.
