Abimbola Abatta and Philemon Adedeji
To further enhance productivity and development in Nigeria, sakeholders have x-rayed the yet-to-be-tapped potential of the country’s digital economy.
The stakeholders, cut across various sectors of business, technology and innovation, also stressed the need for efficient digital infrastructure.
They spoke on Thursday, day 2 of the Information Communication Technology and Telecommunication (ICTEL) Expo organised by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI).
Nigerian NewsDirect reports that the eighth edition of the ICTEL Expo, which commenced on Wednesday, featured exhibitions, presentation by key note speakers, and pitch sessions, among others.
The two-day event was held at the Muson center in Lagos.
Themed: “Ensuring Efficient Digital Infrastructure in Nigeria,” the event comes at a time the digital economy is projected to raise the country’s GDP to 15 per cent by 2025.
Delivering his keynote speech, Publisher of Marketing Edge, John Ajayi, said digital economy is part of information and technology across all business sectors to enhance productivity.
He explained that digital infrastructure is a digital technology that provides foundation for internet, global telecom and others.
“Without technology, internet will be inaccessible. We use every day digital infrastructure which are location-based such as GPS technology.
“Today, we are in digital economy. Since COVID-19 pandemic, many people are working at home. Every nation is looking to go digital with what we experienced during the pandemic to ensure efficiency.”
CEO, Open Access Data Entries (OADC), Dr Ayotunde Coker, during his paper presentation, noted that Nigeria has 73.00 per cent internet penetration.
Dr. Coker stressed the need to embrace the dividends of AfCFTA as the country moves further on the path of digital economy.
“The key AfCFTA enablers, we need to have in place include broadband penetration, broadband adoption, pan African Cross Border Payment and Settlements infrastructure, Data Centre Infrastructure distribution, Sustainable Power Investments and Developments, Unified Sovereign Data and Data Protection,” he said.
Another keynote speaker, Chairman of SmartCity PLC, Mr Demola Aladekomo, explained that Nigeria can attain efficient digital infrastructure.
Speaking on the topic: “Efficient Digital Infrastructure Through SmartCities,” Mr Aladekomo said population can be to an advantage or disadvantage depending on one’s perspective.
Consequently, he called for the government to address strategic and policy issues and look at emerging opportunities.
According to him, the government and stakeholders must leapfrog relevant technology towards resolving infrastructural deficit.
Some infrastructure needed, according to him, include communications, energy (solar and off-grid), water and desalination PROPTECH and transportation.
In catering for efficiency in the department of digital infrastructure, he proposed some theories.
He said we must consider “Agglomeration, which means optimising the human power and the capacities we have in that large population. Polycentric patterned development, that is cities facilitate efficiencies and productivity. Making them smart resolves issues of sustainability, greeness, and livability.
“For digital efficiency, smart cities should be created; we should recognise population growth as an opportunity and accept rural-urban migration as a reality, not a threat.
“Technologies (such as wireless, proptech, desalination and energy, artificial intelligence & big data, augmented reality, Blockchain, automous vehicles) must play crucial roles; we must encourage private sector participation, and we must establish good governance and rule of law,” he added.
Meanwhile, the highlight of the event yesterday was the pitch section where three startups, Akowe, SmartParcel, and Kids Read Art won the first, second and third prizes respectively.