Meta Platforms to boost Nigeria’s Investment with digital tools
By Temitope Mustapha, Abuja
American multinational technology conglomerate, Meta Platforms says it is partnering with the Nigerian government to make available in six months, new digital economic tools that will further empower content creators.
Meta also said its investment in the world’s most extensive subsea cable to Africa will fully come on stream in 2025 with the targets of improving connectivity and resilience of digital infrastructure in Nigeria and beyond.
Global President of Meta platforms, Sir Nick Clegg made these known on Thursday after meeting with Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja.
Speaking on using technology to drive developments in Nigeria, Clegg said that the Meta platform digital economic programs fits into President Tinubu’s digital economy vision hence the AI features of the Meta Services are currently undergoing reforms to suit the Nigerian users.
“But also we need to make it easier for people to earn a living. If they are creators and they are posting videos and content which people enjoy and consume on Instagram and Facebook, we need to provide them with tools so that they can monetize and earn a living. And that’s exactly what I explained to the President and his team we will be doing in the weeks and months ahead.
“New tools will become available to creators in Nigeria between now and the summer so that they can earn a living that they can place ads for themselves. In the stream or in between different short-form videos. So I’m tremendously excited.
“And then of course, our AI is going through a huge change itself and the fact that we as a company, open source our AI technology means that researchers, developers, companies, and small and medium-sized businesses don’t need to build the AI infrastructure themselves. It doesn’t need to be even built here in Nigeria, we can be used for free. It’s something we’re very proud of.”
Clegg lauded President Tinubu and his team for supporting Meta in its investment in the extensive subsea cable to Africa.
“Well, technology moves so fast, we’ve invested so much in by far the world’s most powerful and extensive subsea cable to Africa with two landing points here in Nigeria, which wouldn’t have happened without the help of the President and his team. That itself will hopefully come on stream in the first quarter of 2025. And will enhance the connectivity and resilience of digital infrastructure in Nigeria and beyond. But it’s not just about cables, it’s also about people. You have to make sure that people understand how to use digital tools how to enhance digital literacy, and how to enhance particularly the use of our tools by small businesses.”
Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijjani said that Nigeria will ensure proper use of the subsea cables for the benefit of Nigerians.
“They landed in Lagos and Uyo. As we know, last week, there was a cut in submarine cable so you can see why this landing is important. And the President was quite clear about supporting businesses like Meta that are investing in infrastructure to deepen our digital economy,” the Minister said.
