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NITDA inside GITEX AFRICA
This week at GITEX Africa, Marrakech, Morocco, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has reiterated the need for regional collaboration to accelerate digital transformation across Africa, provide opportunities that can propel a new digital era of innovation and inclusive development across the continent.
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The agency expressed its position at the two panel sessions with the themes: ‘Accelerating Digital Transformation in Africa: Strategies, Challenges and Opportunities’ and ‘Fast Tracking to an Integrated and Inclusive Digital Public Infrastructure’ where Director General, NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, discussed the role of technology in driving economic growth, job creation, and digital economy development on the continent.
Over 50 Nigerian startups at GITEX Africa
The maiden GITEX Africa technology conference and exhibitions holding 31 May – 2 June is designed as meeting point for industry leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and innovators across the globe to discuss and showcase advancements in technology.
More than 50 Nigerian startups are exhibition at the global event. Lagos state Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu who addressed a global audience on the investment potential of the continent and Lagos state particularly said the government had already taken steps to ensure Lagos becomes the continent’s investors’ hub in the digital economy.
Abdullahi, represented by Dr. Aristotle Onumo, Director of Corporate Planning and Strategy, highlighted the need for African countries to invest in digital infrastructure, skills development, and policy reforms in order to reap the full benefits of digital transformation.
He stressed the importance of collaboration between governments, academia, industry, venture capitalist, and the tech community in order to accelerate digital transformation in Africa.
“An example of such collaboration is in the development of the Nigeria Startup Act which the ecosystem regards as the game changer that will further catalyse the industry and make Nigeria a global startup destination”, he stated
According to him, African countries must work together to develop common standards and regulations for the digital economy, and to promote the adoption of digital technologies across all sectors of the economy.
Collaboration within the tech and innovation ecosystem is important to further making progress through African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and African Smart Alliance as well to sustain the efforts at fostering a common digital identity for Africa, NITDA stressed.
The NITDA’s boss offered insights into the development of National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS), and NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2021-2024) as frameworks that drew from stakeholders’ collaborations.
His words: “Technology is a key driver of economic growth and job creation in Africa. We need to invest in digital infrastructure and develop our own digital strategies in order to fully reap the benefits of the digital revolution.
“Public-private partnerships are essential for driving digital transformation in Africa. We need to work together to create a more inclusive and sustainable digital future for the continent.”
The panel sessions were made up of experts and representatives from governments, businesses and the tech community from across Africa. The discussions incited a clear consensus among the participants that digital transformation is essential for Africa’s economic development.
