Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani has disclosed that the digital economy will contribute 21% to national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2030, from the current contribution of 14.19%.
He made this known at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) national digital economy and E-Governance bill stakeholders engagement on Thursday in Abuja.
The minister, who was represented by the permanent secretary of the ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Mr Adeladan Rafiu, said,
“In quarter one of 2035, the digital economy contributed approximately seven trillion Naira to our real GDP, accounting for 14.19% of Nigeria’s 49.34 trillion GDP.
“This is highly remarkable. Currently, the sector contributes 16-18% of GDP, with clear strategies in place to increase this to 21% by 2030.”
Speaking on the importance of the bill, he said, “The National Digital and E-Government Bill seeks to establish a robust legal and regulatory framework that will guide the implementation of digital governance in Nigeria.
“We can ensure that this bill provides the solid legal foundation required to drive digital identity, aid governance, and overall decision-making for Nigeria.”
The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kachifu Abdullahi, said, “Everybody is contributing to see how we build a legal and institutional framework for our national digital economy.
“This will accelerate the digitisation of the Nigerian economy when all government services are digital, and also the government is building infrastructure to connect the unconnected.
“Government is doing a lot in digital literacy to educate our citizens to develop their digital fluency, so everyone will be part of it. And that will deepen the financial inclusion as well.”
The national commissioner of the Nigerian Data Protection Commission, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, in his goodwill message, noted that the digital economy sector is the most consistent in growth.
“I stand to be corrected. I’m not sure of any other sector where there is consistent progress in a particular sector and contributing highly to the growth of our economy.