Minister of Communications Technology, Dr. Omobola Johnson, says the Information Technology sector has the potential to rake up to $300 billion to Africa by 20125, from an estimated $18 billion in 2013.

The Minister spoke at the African Internet Forum, AIGF, organised by Nigeria Internet Regulatory Agency, NIRA, an arm of the National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA in Abuja.

Johnson said current trends show that the sector is about springing up a big surprise to the whole world by way of Africa surpassing some developed regions in use of technology and internet penetration.

She said this development should be seen by Nigeria and other African nations as opportunities to generate income, to create wealth, to create jobs, new business opportunities and economic expansion.

According to her, that is the very opportunities African governments should look for to transform their economies and the economic lives of their populations. adding that internet and the connectivity network also presents opportunities for improving the social welfare of Africa and Africans.

“The Internet can contribute up to 300 billion United States dollars to Africa’s GDP by 2025; and this is from an estimated 18 billion in 2013.’

“For a region that lags behind the world in almost every economic indicator, this translates directly to opportunities to generate income, to create wealth, to create jobs, new business opportunities and economic expansion, the very opportunities African governments are looking for and need to transform their economies and the economic lives of their populations,” said the Minister.