The Executive Director, Development Information Network, Mr Bankole Olubamise,  says improved Information Communication Technologies (ICT) infrastructure would enhance the development of small businesses.

Olubamise made the observation in an interview with newsmen in Lagos, yesterday.

He said that the SMEs were generally perceived as engine of growth in developing countries.

“But due to the galloping development of ICT worldwide, SMEs in developing countries like Nigeria face a formidable task surviving and competing in a global market,” he said.

Olubamise said that the presence of enabling infrastructure would also propel ICT to deliver unprecedented opportunities to SMEs in Nigeria.

“SMEs case studies provide substantial evidence of increased ICT adoption in low-income countries and positive ICT effects on SMEs performance,” he said.

Olubamise said the wide usage of the available technologies showed that adoption of ICT could be key element in giving SMEs in the country an edge and to be globally competitive.

“Most SMEs owners believe that being connected to the internet is being ICT compliant. There are so many other things that will make SMEs to be ICT compliant, but we lack the infrastructure.

“These are just few of such technologies necessary for SMEs in the country to be locally and globally competitive,” he said.

Olubamise said that low penetration rates in ICT usage were responsible for the low usage of ICT by SMEs generally.

“In addition and perhaps more importantly the lack of complementary infrastructure may reduce the opportunities for firms adopting ICT to perform better,’’ he said.