By Emmanuel Elebeke

The Federal government has reiterated its commitment to drive National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) in transforming every aspect of modern life in the country.

It said the policy which will enable Nigeria to take advantage to become a leading player in the global digital economy and provide a catalyst to facilitate the diversification of the economy will facilitate attainment of the key national objectives, improve security, reduce corruption and expand the economy.

The Director General of National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mallam Kashifu Abdullahi made this known while delivering the welcome address at the Anambra Innovation Stakeholders Summit (AISS 2021) with the theme: “Incubating a Digital Revolution”, organised by Anambra State Information and Communication Technology Agency (ANSICTA).

He noted that, Nigeria has had its share of technological disruptions but noted that the disruption has both enhanced the lives of Nigerians and as well caused some frictions between governments and the governed.

‘‘Researchers have maintained that technology innovation creates both winners and losers. The likes of Bolt are disrupting the existing taxi and car hire services space and creating new market in the transportation industry. Similarly, Jumia, Konga and their likes are using technology to disrupt retail markets, while the likes of hotels.ng and Wakanow are not left out in the innovative transformation of the hospitality and aviation sub-sectors.’’

He recalled that, Federal Government, in 2019, launched the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) as a sustainable roadmap to accelerate the development of Digital Economy in Nigeria.

According to him, the policy pillars are designed to catalyse the deliberate development of the digital ecosystem in Nigeria and to deepen the quality of indigenous innovation to solve problems in Nigeria and analogous markets worldwide, adding that, the policy has produced focused plans and programs being implemented through various agencies of the Federal Government. These programs include incentives for local development of technology and innovation centers to accelerate growth of indigenous innovation and skills.

Speaking on the role of NITDA,  he further revealed that the agency has been at the fore in supporting the digital innovation ecosystem in Nigeria.

“We recently unveiled our Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP) 2021-2024, which is targeted at driving programs and initiatives to achieve the objectives of the NDEPS. It is anchored on 7 pillars namely; Developmental Regulation; Digital Literacy and Skills; Digital Transformation; Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship; Cybersecurity; Emerging Technologies; and Promotion of Indigenous Content.’’

“NITDA SRAP (2021-2024) is focused on the facilitation of a rapid transformation of the digital economy through elaborate stakeholder collaborations in the implementation of the NDEPS. Therefore, we are open to extensive stakeholder collaborations for the actualisation of the aspirations of SRAP and by extension the NDEPS.

“The financial services industry, our burgeoning Fintech companies such as Flutterwave and Paystack are making waves in Nigeria and beyond. All these are pointers to the vast opportunities that can be harnessed by startups to incubate a technological revolution within Nigeria and beyond”, he said.

“Startups play a significant role in economic growth by spurring innovation, injecting competition as well as job creation. Additionally, the size of our population offers innovative startups an opportunity of access to a big market by developing solutions tailored at solving identified challenges/needs.”

“Nigeria’s burgeoning digital innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem has attracted significant investments over the years. While we have local and foreign investors, the opportunity still exists for more private sector involvement. According to the Partech Africa 2020 Annual VC Report, venture capital flows into Nigeria moved from about $100m in 2016 to almost a billion dollars in 2019 and more is expected as we continue.’’

In attendance the Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Dr Nkem Okeke, Head of the Agency of Anambra State Information and Communication Technology Agency (ANSICTA), Hon. Theo Manafa, professionals in ICT, innovation hubs, academia, corporate organizations, technology enthusiasts, business and commercial community.