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In its ongoing effort to propel Nigeria into a future where digital technology and economic growth uplift the nation, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is set to collaborate with the World Bank and the World Trade Organization (WTO). This partnership aims to implement presidential priority areas focused on reforming the economy for sustained inclusive growth and accelerating diversification through industrialization and digitization.
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This collaboration was announced during a meeting in Abuja, where Director General, NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi hosted a delegation from the World Bank and WTO led by Mr. Aleksandar Stojanov. The discussions centered on fostering deep collaboration to enhance digital trade, cross-border data services, and the development of regulatory policies that would accelerate economic growth through technological innovations.
Abdullahi highlighted NITDA’s move to review most of its regulations and outlined the agency’s comprehensive plans encapsulated in the newly recrafted Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP) 2.0 for 2024-2027. This initiative is part of efforts to implement the presidential priority areas in enhancing the country’s digital economy.
“We started with recrafting our Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan 2.0 for 2024-2027, which has eight strategic pillars, including Strengthening Policy Implementation and Legal Framework. Our goal is to create an enabling environment for the digital economy and digital trade,” Abdullahi noted.
He further highlighted key regulatory advancements, revealing that NITDA is at an advanced stage of establishing a National Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) to underpin the nation’s electronic signature framework. The development of this framework has involved extensive research into international best practices and substantial investment in necessary infrastructure.
Regarding legal advancements, Abdullahi said efforts are underway to push for the enactment of a comprehensive digital economy bill that will incorporate the electronic signature framework and other critical regulatory instruments.
Emphasizing the importance of blockchain technology in enhancing the security and efficiency of digital transactions, he stated that a broader blockchain policy is being developed, particularly focusing on the implementation of smart contracts.
Discussing the upcoming data exchange platform designed to streamline and enhance messaging systems, Abdullahi said, “We have the Nigerian Data Strategy, which will create a balance between the protection and the viability of open data to promote innovation. We need to allow people to have access to open data for innovation and decision-making.”
He also disclosed that NITDA’s regulatory department is working on streamlining regulations to address existing challenges effectively.
Highlighting the necessity of digitalizing Nigeria’s single window and customs procedures, Abdullahi asserted that NITDA is actively participating in cross-border digital trade protocols, enhancing Nigeria’s role in the global digital economy.
“The EU recently developed a Cyber Resilience Act covering software and hardware testing issues. We can also have an instrument addressing cyber resilience, software, hardware, firmware issues, and even the national cyber security architecture,” he opined.
He expressed NITDA’s willingness to collaborate with individuals, organizations, and experts to refine and implement these strategic initiatives to optimize Nigeria’s digital landscape.
In his address, Mr. Stojanov shared initial findings from the digital trade regulatory gap analysis conducted by the World Bank on the continent, particularly in Nigeria, and discussed how regulations can play a critical role in enhancing digital trade.
He assured the World Bank’s eagerness to collaborate and support NITDA in propelling digital trade and cross-border data services.
