The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mal. Kashifu Inuwa has said that there is a need for continuous advocacy of Fintech for the sustainability of Nigeria’s digital economy.
Mal. Inuwa’s statement is hinged on the fact that Financial Technology (FinTech) has proved to be a critical element in the advancement of digital economies globally through its enormous contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as well as the alleviation of poverty.
Delivering a keynote address at the 2nd Africa Cashless Payment Systems Conference themed “Building Cashless Africa” in Abuja, Mal. Inuwa described FinTech as an important sector that needs to be passionately embraced.
“Fintech is one of the outstanding sectors where the impact of digital technology is felt in Africa,” the NITDA DG, who was represented by Dr. Ayo Bakare of the Agency’s Digital Economy Department (DED) argued.
Giving accolades to the Foreign Investment Network (FIN) and its partners for organising the event, Inuwa averred that the conference which brings professionals from the financial, technology, judiciary and government sectors together would ensure that information technology is adequately integrated into every sector, particularly the financial sector.
“The collaboration through this Conference allows FinTech companies, vendors of financial solutions, consumers, government, and academia to meet and deliberate on how Africa can develop and promote safe, secure, and seamless digital financial transactions across the continent with minimal disruptions,” he stated.
The DG expressed his confidence that digital financial solutions, cyber security, e-commerce and digital retail banking amongst many others would as the topics of discourse during the event give new insights into strengthening the country’s cashless economy.