Nigeria advances digital economy through infrastructure and skills initiatives

Nigeria is intensifying efforts to expand its digital economy through enhanced local infrastructure, innovation, and skills training. The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has emphasized that the nation's digital future depends on its ability to create and deploy homegrown technology rather than solely consuming foreign solutions.

NITDA Director-General Kashifu Inuwa noted that the government is pursuing a private-sector-driven approach, where the state provides enabling policies and infrastructure while entrepreneurs develop products. This strategy aims to leverage Nigeria's large young population and growing startup ecosystem.

In a parallel development, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is working to expand digital literacy via the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI). Following DBI's designation as an International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Digital Transformation Centre, the NCC aims to deepen collaboration with the ITU to provide quality training and capacity-building programs, specifically targeting underserved and vulnerable communities across the country.