How digital economy created pathway for emerging technologies – NITDA

The Director General of National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa has said digital economy has created a pathway for emerging technologies and provided opportunities for youths in Africa to emerge as global leaders by harnessing their potentials.

Inuwa said this on Monday at the Leaders Without Borders Annual Business Summit and International Honors 2023 in London.

With the theme: “Business Beyond Borders, Global Partnerships and Sustainable Investments,” the global event brings together business leaders, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders from around the world to promote collaboration and innovation in the business work.

The NITDA DG said to ensure Nigeria’s pool of talents were not left behind, the agency established the National Center for Artificial Intelligence and Robotic (NCAIR), to drive and support research, development, and adoption of emerging technologies in the country.

“Nigeria is thriving and has the most vibrant tech ecosystem in Africa, the fintech company which is almost twice bigger than the biggest bank in Nigeria. The biggest bank in Nigeria is about $1.6 billion in valuation, while Flutterwave is almost $3.6 billion. While looking into e-commerce, e-health, mobility and logistics, e-recruitment, Agric-tech, proptech, and smart homes which is booming in Nigeria and Africa in general”, he said.

He disclosed that the Nigeria tech ecosystem had attracted about $4.4bn investment between the year 2015, 2019 and 2020 respectively, and ICT contributing to about 18.5% to the nation’s GDP.