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"The Nigeria government yesterday announced a comprehensive ban on foreign computers and technology products use in public institutions in a move aimed at promoting the local industry.\r\n\r\nThe government said the ban is aimed at promoting \u2018made-in-Nigeria\u2019 products and catalyse development in the local information communications Technology (ICT) industry, reported Businessdayonline.\r\n\r\nDirector-general of the\u00A0National Information Technology Development Agency\u00A0(NITDA) Cleopas Anganye made the declaration at a 2-day retreat on draft guidelines for home grown IT hardware products.\r\n\r\nAngaye said procurement by public institutions of non made-in-Nigeria computers, where certified local brands exist, would be an offence punishable by a prison term and fine, under the NITDA Act.\r\n\r\nThe new policy could see companies including LG and Samsung loss their market shares in the country.\r\n\r\nAngaye further issued the new guidelines for computer manufacturing in Nigeria saying the government would sidelining the use of the locally made IT products by the government agencies as economic sabotage.\r\n\r\nThe government intends to launch a monitoring scheme to ensure compliance by all public institutions in Nigeria.\r\n\r\nAccording to the new guidelines, the public procurement of non made-in-Nigeria computers and IT products where certified local brands exist is an offence.\r\n\r\nThe display and use of non-made-in-Nigeria computers in government offices and for government business, where certified local brands are available, is also an offence punishable by law, said Angoye.\r\n\r\nThe guidelines also ban use of non made-in-Nigeria computers in public schools in Nigeria.\r\n\r\nTunde Balogun, president of the Computer and Allied Products Dealers Association of Nigeria (CAPDAN) said Nigerian manufacturers could compete with foreign brands with favourable policies in place.\r\n\r\nHowever, Tunde said, the major impediment to development of the industry is the implementation of these policies.\r\n\r\nAngaye called on multinationals to set up production or assembly plants in Nigeria to benefit from the new regulation.\r\n\r\nHe said most of the multinational firms operate only marketing and sales promotion offices, which he says, impedes Nigeria\u2019s vision to transform its economy into a developed economy.\r\n\r\nNITDA\u2019s director, standards and regulations Inye Kemabonta\u00A0 represented Angaye at the retreat.\r\n\r\nThis story\u00A0originally appeared\u00A0on\u00A0HumanIPO.\r\n\r\n"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://thenextweb.com/africa/2012/05/17/nigeria-to-ban-use-of-foreign-it-products-to-promote-homegrown-industry/>