Nigeria launches tech outlook to address digital adoption gaps

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), in collaboration with the SATH Foundation, is developing the Nigeria Tech Outlook. This annual assessment aims to examine technology access, adoption, and productivity across five key sectors: financial services, telecommunications, healthcare, commerce, and government services.

Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, director-general of NITDA, stated that the initiative will provide evidence-based insights to help policymakers, investors, and innovators identify ecosystem gaps. He noted that while Nigeria possesses significant talent, global competitiveness requires improved digital infrastructure, supportive policies, and strategic investment.

Initial findings highlight a significant gap in digital healthcare; while over 80 percent of surveyed Nigerians expressed interest in telemedicine, fewer than 20 percent have utilized the service. The assessment will also cover emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and data privacy.