The Nigerian Government has promised continued partnership with the industry stakeholders to help evolve, enable broad opportunities, foster innovation, and build the African tech innovation ecosystem.
The assurance was given at the maiden edition of the Global Tech Africa (GTA) Summit held in Lagos State, an initiative designed to help Africa transform and ignite a flame of innovation that would illuminate the path toward creating a digital future in the continent.
The event was organised in collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), United States Consulate General, Ascends Studios Foundation, and Future Map Foundation.
In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of Nigeria’s Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy Dr. William Alo who was represented by the Director of Information Communication Technology, ICT, Mr. Samuel Okoye said that the Summit presents a pathway for embarking on a journey to explore the immense opportunities that lies at the intersection of innovation, technology, and human progress.
Dr. Alo emphasised that the potential of technological advancements is to bridge gaps, foster inclusivity, and ignite economic growth.
Therefore the summit catalyses the unlocking of these potentials and empowers Africans to become global technology leaders.
He said; “the Pan-African Summit would foster a collective vision and help in harnessing technological power that could uplift communities, improve healthcare, education, access to information, drive sustainable agriculture, and improve innovation in all sectors of the economy.”
“Today, we stand on the precipice of a transformative journey, one that will redefine the future of Africa and her people, and I believe with this kind of summit, which has congregated some of the best minds in the industry, we will shape a destiny where access to technology is no longer a privilege but a fundamental right for all Africans,” he added.
On his part, the Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa said Africa is blessed with abundant talent, untapped potential, and a vibrant youthful population to play pivotal roles in the global tech ecosystem.
He identified unity as key to reaping the potential that lies ahead in the areas of e-commerce, fintech, and digital economy in general under the banner of Global Tech Africa (GTA).
Expressing optimism, he said that “GTA would provide a powerful platform to unlock all these opportunities in Africa.”
He believed that there is no reason for Africa to be left out in this Fourth Industrial Revolution after being left out in the first, second, and third Industrial Revolutions.
He said; “The Fourth Industrial Revolution is about talent and technology. In Africa, we have the talent. The developed world has the technology. Technology will not work without talent; therefore, they need us to develop the technology while we need the technology to boost our economy.
“Looking at it globally, innovation is not evenly distributed but in clusters as an ecosystem; therefore, the reason for this platform is to create a strong ecosystem in Nigeria and in Africa by partnering with all the key stakeholders that are captured under five categories in the ecosystem.”
The NITDA Boss noted that the government has the responsibility to develop regulatory instruments to create a market that would enable innovation within the ecosystem, protect consumers and make service delivery more efficient.
He appealed to the audience to welcome the goals of the GTA Summit as a platform that places Africans at the forefront of innovation, growth, and prosperity.
Other speakers at the event were Will Stevens, the United State Consular General; Steffi Czerny, Co-founder, Digital Life Design (DLD); Bunmi Akinyemiju, Co-founder, Venture Garden Group; Emmanuel Tarfa, GTA Team and the Chief Convener, Dr. Inya Lawal.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
