Nigeria has been placed in the top seven African countries by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) with a 71 percent readiness for digital transformation. However, there are still nine steps outlined by the ITU in collaboration with the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office in their report titled ‘Collaborative Regulation: Accelerating Nigeria’s Digital Transformation’ to further enhance Nigeria’s digital economy. Focusing on catering to the specific needs of the local market, the ITU suggests that Nigeria implement strategies like hosting cloud services locally, promoting mobile money usage, and enhancing digital financial services to drive economic growth.
Statista forecasts Nigeria’s cloud market to grow to $828 million by 2024, and Amazon Web Services predicts that the country could see an increase of ₦30.2 trillion in economic value from cloud adoption between 2023 and 2033. To achieve continuous digital advancement, ITU suggests Nigeria develop a comprehensive and enduring policy structure to ensure stability for policymakers, regulators, and industry participants. This framework should be reinforced by detailed action plans and continual oversight to minimise legal and regulatory bottlenecks. By doing so, it will improve reliability and foreseeability, ultimately stimulating Investment and fostering creativity.
NCC regulatory maturity and adaptability encourage digital transformation.
They praises the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for its regulatory maturity and adaptability and encourages enhancements in its processes such as public consultations and impact analysis to effectively steer digital transformation. Adapting to the swiftly changing digital landscape is crucial for upholding regulatory excellence. Despite some improvements in collaboration by the NCC, the ITU has highlighted Nigeria’s subpar inter-agency cooperation. The report emphasises the need for enhanced quality and depth in collaboration among regulators and stakeholders. Moving beyond consultation towards true cooperation is essential for improved implementation results.
Also, the ITU emphasises the importance of establishing clear role definitions and ensuring policy coherence among government agencies engaged in digital transformation. Confusion over responsibilities, especially between entities such as the NCC and NITDA, has hindered effective policy implementation. Resolving these conflicts is essential for creating a streamlined and efficient governance framework that can support seamless digital transformation endeavours. It is vital for Nigerian government agencies to work together more closely in order to propel the digital transformation forward.
Collaborating across different sectors will inspire creativity.
This entails strengthening relationships between the NCC and various ministries, such as health and education, and increasing coordination with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA). Collaborating across different sectors will inspire creativity and guarantee the successful execution of ICT policies in various domains. The ITU emphasises the significance of fostering creativity in fields like cybersecurity, communication, and technology. Promoting Innovation is vital for boosting economic progress and maintaining Nigeria’s competitiveness in the worldwide digital economy. Cultivating an atmosphere of creativity can help Nigeria establish itself as a frontrunner in creating advanced technologies and solutions.
Furthermore, the ITU has suggested enhancing Nigeria’s cybersecurity framework despite the current measures against cybercrime. The National Cyber Security Policy 2022 advocates for a unified national Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) and specialised Computer Security Incident Response Teams (CSIRTs) for various sectors. Nonetheless, the ITU has observed that only a limited number of sector-specific CSIRTs are operational. To effectively tackle the widespread effects of cybercrime, improved collaboration and communication among stakeholders are essential. The ITU stresses the significance of thorough plans and strategies in advancing digital skills and usage.
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Although policies exist to improve Digital Literacy and access to broadband, successful execution depends on close cooperation between government entities. Attaining the target of 95 percent digital Literacy by 2030 demands a holistic method, with all parties collaborating to narrow the digital gap. Nigeria’s digital evolution is being guided by the ITU’s suggestions, providing a roadmap towards a stronger digital economy. Through prioritising local projects, improving regulatory standards, and promoting partnerships, Nigeria is poised to make substantial strides in its digital environment.