Communication Minister, Tijani Unveils Digital Economy Report, Seeks Tech Advancement

Minister of communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, has unveiled the Digital Economy Report aimed at harnessing the nation’s potential for digital transformation.

Addressing newsmen yesterday in Abuja during the launch of the Digital Economy Report, organized by the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSMA) with the theme: “Harnessing the Transformative Potential of Digital Technology for Nigeria’s Digital Economy,” Tijani expressed gratitude to the GSMA and emphasized the report’s significance in shaping Nigeria’s digital future.

He stressed that the launch of Nigeria’s Digital Economy Report marks a pivotal moment in the nation’s journey towards technological advancement, promising a future fueled by innovation, collaboration, and data-driven decision-making.

He highlighted the need for collaboration and innovation to propel the nation’s economy into the digital age.

“Key initiatives outlined in the report include the National Broadband Alliance (NBAN), which seeks to promote widespread broadband access across Nigeria through innovative strategies targeting sub-national challenges,” he said.

He said the ministry’s focus for strengthening Nigeria’s digital economy is primarily driven by connectivity, as evidenced by the infrastructure pillar of the ministry’s Strategic Blueprint.

Minister Tijani also addressed advocacy efforts for streamlined regulations, infrastructure protection plans, and initiatives to address multiple taxation challenges.

He also stressed the importance of a data-centric approach to decision-making.

He echoed the insights gained from extensive data collection exercises, citing examples of how data analysis has led to a deeper understanding of infrastructure challenges and performance indicators.

Tijani announced plans for a revised Quality of Service regulation, leveraging localized data to address industry challenges more effectively.

He also commended the efforts of the GSMA in compiling the report, signaling a new era of collaboration and progress in Nigeria’s digital landscape.

On her part, senior director of public policy and communications for Sub-Sahara Africa at GSMA, Caroline Mbugua, highlighted the challenges and opportunities facing Nigeria’s digital landscape.

She noted the usage gap as a significant barrier to Nigeria’s digital progress, emphasizing the need to address affordability issues surrounding smart devices.

She referenced a GSMA survey revealing that the cost of devices remains a key obstacle to mobile broadband adoption, stressing the importance of initiatives to make devices more accessible to Nigerians.

While acknowledging Nigeria’s relatively high mobile ownership rates, Mbugua noted that gender disparities persist, with male ownership at 91 per cent compared to 86 per cent for females.

She urged targeted initiatives to bridge this gap and ensure inclusivity in digital access.

Mbugua underscored the broader regional challenge of usage gaps and called on Nigeria to provide leadership in addressing these issues.

She applauded suggestions, such as the export of locally manufactured smart devices, as potential solutions to affordability challenges not only in Nigeria but across the continent.

Transitioning to the economic impact of the mobile sector, Mbugua highlighted its substantial contribution to Nigeria’s economy, accounting for 30 per cent of GDP in 2023.

She emphasized the potential for further growth, projecting a doubling of this contribution to 67 trillion naira by 2028 with intentional policy interventions and consistent implementation.