The Director-General of National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mal. Kashifu Inuwa has narrated how the Covid-19 pandemic aided Nigeria’s digital transformation journey faster.
According to him, Covid-19 made the journey more dramatic and disruptive, giving opportunities for a more convenient online presence with less disturbance, Digital innovation and Internet Economy to drive the Digital Economy being promoted by the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy.
Mal. Inuwa gave the narrative while making a presentation at the 8th Annual Instalment of the International Data Corporation (IDC) West Africa CIO Summit 2021 with the Theme: “Innovation Strategies Evolving on the demand of New Realities is Exciting”.
He stated that Economy Africa reports 2020 revealed that by 2025, the value of Internet Economy in Africa will reach $180b, accounting for about 5.2% of the Continent’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and by 2050 its projection is estimated to be $712b, about 8.5% of the Continent’s GDP.
“Innovation drives growth in the internet economy, the process of taking ideas from inception to impact inspired three digital capabilities; firstly, Ubiquitous Data which is used to make a decision and have Information at your disposal anytime. Secondly, Unlimited Connectivity particularly the Internet of Things (IoT) which ease connectivity and learning things easily. Lastly, Massive Computing Processing Power has no limit to what can be processed. These Capabilities are the source of inspiration that ignites innovation and create demand in the digital era,” he said.
He added that with the global advancement and digital technologies making the world a better place, NITDA is inspired to deliver rapid business innovations and new customer value prepositions with African Start-ups coming up with unique business models, Digital Transformation platforms and services that creates incredible value with a significant impact on human lives and the economy, which indicates that Africa will not miss the Fourth Industrial Revolution, unlike the first, Second and Third industrial era.
