Local manufacturer transforms the IT sector: Nigeria's Omatek was the first company to build computer casings and speakers in Africa. Now it is enjoying a boom as the IT market explodes. And it is exporting too ...(Company Focus)

IT IS NO surprise to close watchers of Nigeria's fledgling IT industry to see Omatek Computers among the top-level players. The Lagos-based company has been around for nearly two decades, mostly as a vendor of foreign brands. Now it is in the forefront of promoting locally-assembled brain boxes from its Ojota factory, although not without teething problems.

Nigeria's computer industry is definitely entering a new phase and 2004 was pivotal for the indigenous players. Government affirmed a strong commitment to expanding market reach for local manufacturers in the public sector. It fashioned a new rule placing all locally-assembled branded computers on the 'A' list. By this, all decision makers within its ministries and departments are obliged to consider the home front first before looking elsewhere.

Foreign players

This is a market long dominated by foreign players: HP, IBM, Dell, Acer …