By Daniel Tyokua
The Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Malam Kashifu Abdullahi, has said for Nigeria economy to grow faster there was the need to adopt new technologies that are digital inclined.
He said since the outbreak of COVID-19, technology has brought innovations that have changed major areas of the economy.
Kashifu stated this during his presentation at the Course 43 of National Institute for Policy and strategies in Kuru, Plateau state.
The DG who was represented by the Acting Director, Digital Economy Department, Engr. Salisu Kaka said, “the disruption to our daily lives, orchestrated by the pandemic, is repositioning the digital economy and giving it an edge over traditional economies. Despite the economic downturn, occasioned by the pandemic, most countries with viable digital economies witnessed growth”
He stated that digital technology based companies as; Google, Amazon, Zoom and others had recorded growth during the lockdown.
“In Nigeria too, digital technology companies like; Flutterwave, Jumia, Buypower, etc., are all attestation to the potential growth of digital economy, for Nigeria to accelerate growth and modernize the economy there is a need to develop a strategy for digitally inclined growth for the nation’s economy”
While describing digital economy as an engine for growth, the DG said Nigeria can harness it as a driver for growth and innovation.
According to him, African Union has launched Digital Economy for Africa (DE4A) initiative which is aimed at accelerating the economic growth of the continent.
He said, “The DE4A initiative recognizes that the digital economy can help to accelerate the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the World Bank Group’s twin goals.(Group, 2021).
“For Nigeria, a country in dire need to diversify its economy, digital economy activities are key for diversification because they transcend all aspect of human endeavour.” he said.
