The Chief Executive of the first Nigerian SIM production plant, SecureID, Kofo Akinkugbe, has hinted that the plant has plans to export Nigerian produced SIM cards to other countries, adding that Secure ID currently holds a global endorsement to service the huge network of SIM card users across 19 African countries.

This development was revealed in Lagos at the commissioning of the SIM Card plant which was set up with financial support from the Bank of Industry (BoI) to drive local export in the telecoms sector.

At the commissioning of SecureID Limited, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Okechukwu Enelamah, described the 200million capacity SIM card production plant as a demonstration of Federal Government’s economic diversification and backward integration initiative.

Enelamah who noted that the facility is of world class standard, reiterated government’s commitment to deepen partnership with the private sector to realise its goals in all aspects of diversification, job creation and industrialisation.

He expressed confidence in the entrepreneurial spirit of Nigerians, noting that with conducive business atmosphere and necessary financial support Nigerian entrepreneurs can reveal their prowess.

The Minister said “Some of the things we need to get right is creating enabling environment and creating the right investment climate, which would allow the ease of doing business for private sector for Nigerian businesses to prosper. We are very committed in the area of financing. I want to acknowledge the BoI for their support for Secure ID and many other players and they have our full support to actually assist the industrialisation of Nigeria. We will be backing the likes of BoI and even the development bank that is coming up.”

Unveiling the SecureID SIM Card brand, Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, said efforts within the telecoms sphere would be garnered to ensure the home-grown company thrives.

He charged telecoms players such as MTN, Glo, Airtel, and Etisalat among others to encourage local production by engaging the firm to produce their SIM cards. He said “I believe we must not limit it to Nigeria; we must also spread to other countries.”

The Acting Managing Director, BoI, Waheed Olagunju, who applauded the investment decision, said the venture was supported based on its potential to positively impact domestic consumption, aid technology transfer and adduce employment opportunities in the sector.

He stated that “When we support projects, we do not only look at the financial viability of such projects. We look at the potential development impact and multiplier effect. The facility we have commissioned today is the first of its kind in Africa for the production of SIM cards that are hitherto imported. There is also in country technology and know-how that would be transferred in the process.”

The Chief Executive, Secure ID, said the feat was achieved despite the difficulties stifling the establishment of manufacturing lines in the country. She commended the development efforts and advisory backing of the Bank of Industry which was key to achieving the feat.