Prof. Isa Ali Pantami, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy has explained how digitization has enabled Nigeria to develop a sustainable digital economy.
The Minister remarked on Tuesday, 25th of October 2022 during the Digital Nigeria Conference themed; Digital Transformation- A Path to Sustainable Digital Economy in Abuja.
Pantami went down memory lane of how the implementation of a digital economy policy accelerates digitalization and this in turn enhances the digital economy.
“Digitalization increases efficiency, reduces waste, enhances productivity, increases transparency, and supports datafication, amongst other things.
Pantami used the occasion to discuss Nigeria’s digitalization journey so far based on 8 pillars namely: Pillar #1: Developmental Regulation; Pillar #2: Digital Literacy and Skills; Pillar #3: Solid Infrastructure; Pillar #4: Service Infrastructure Pillar; Pillar #5: Digital Services Development and Promotion; Pillar #6: Soft Infrastructure; Pillar #7: Digital Society and Emerging Technologies and Pillar #8: Indigenous Content Development and Adoption
“We have shown that the digital economy can greatly support the traditional economy. The contribution of the digital economy to the gross domestic product (GDP) of Nigeria and its role in making the economy resilient to adverse events like the COVID-19 pandemic are 2 good examples of the impact of the digital economy on the traditional economy.
“Specifically, the ICT sector provided 3 unprecedented contributions to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country in the last 3 years, namely 14.07% in Q1 2020, 17.92% in Q2 2021and 18.44% in Q2 2022. At each time, that has been the highest-ever contribution of the ICT sector to the GDP.
“Also, the ICT sector grew by 14.70% in Q4 2020, making it the fastest-growing sector of the Nigerian economy in the last quarter of 2020 and the only sector to have grown by double digits. This played a critical role in enabling Nigeria to exit the recession, Pantami said.
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy used the occasion to launch and unveil a Book: “Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami: Advancing Nigeria’s Drive Towards a Digital Economy” authored by Obiora Nzekwu.
The Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa in his opening opening speech while highlighting the programme of the conference said discussions will focus on the following sub-themes like Digital Transformation, Data Protection, National Security, Emerging Technologies, Digital Inclusion, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship.
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy of the Gambia, H.E Mr Ousman A. Bah delivered the Keynote Address at Conference while speeches came from various personalities such as Deemah Yahya Alyahya; Secretary General Digital Coorperation Organisation; Jimmy Nguyen, CEO Blockchain for All; Minister of information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed;
The conference aims to provide a platform for networking opportunities, co-creation and collaboration, sharing experiences, mentorship and knowledge circulation, stimulating conversation on emerging technology and incentives, and export for tech startups.
