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Nigeria receives $500m for Digital Innovation

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By Okunloye Abiodun

Innovation and entrepreneurship in the digital industry will be strengthened.

Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, has revealed that the nation has obtained access to nearly half a billion dollars in funds in order to launch a local innovation funding program. According to him, the purpose of this program was to encourage more innovation and entrepreneurial endeavours inside the country’s digital industry. On Friday evening in Abuja, the minister made this announcement while speaking at a dinner hosted in partnership with the World Bank.

He highlighted the government’s commitment to retaining the funds within the borders of Nigeria and ensuring that the advantages of the funds were routed towards genuine Nigerian enterprises. To accomplish this goal, he emphasised plans to form a partnership with the Bank of Industry (BOI), stating that they want to make certain that the businesses that would be aided are genuine, authentic Nigerian businesses. The decision to localise the funds was made with the intention of fostering domestic businesses, which would, in turn, contribute to the progress of the nation’s economy.

Poverty will be eradicated while creating more job opportunities.

Assuring the general public that the initial investment was just the beginning, Tijani asserted that the government is not simply going to contribute half a billion dollars, and that’s it; it can actually attract other investors on board. The expansion of the resources that are at the disposal of Nigerian innovators is the primary objective of this strategy. According to him, the overriding objective is to use these funds to increase the scope of the support system for local businesses and to entice additional investments.

In the wake of this latest development, Shubham Chaudhuri, who is the Country Director for the World Bank in Nigeria, underlined the organization’s steadfast commitment to working towards the eradication of poverty. In addition, they want to boost the level of living in Nigeria and increase the number of job opportunities, particularly for the country’s younger population. Chaudhuri highlighted the potential of digital technology in promoting transformation and outlined two critical areas of partnership with Nigeria.

Digital national ID will be issued to at least 148 million individuals.

The major goal in Nigeria, according to Chaudhuri, is to get rid of poverty, improve people’s lives, and provide all young people in Nigeria a chance to find gainful employment; therefore, he emphasised the crucial role of a digital national ID in making this change possible. In their view, one of the most promising areas is the application of digital technologies to existing problems. He also said that the World Bank is working with Nigeria’s National Identity Management Commission to facilitate the country’s nationwide rollout of digital national IDs and subsequent registration of all citizens.

As a substantial advance towards both inclusiveness and accessibility, the ambitious goal is to issue a digital national ID to at least 148 million individuals of working age by the middle of the following year. The second is to assist Nigeria in becoming a leader in the broadband infrastructure for broadband connection, Chaudhuri explained further. He made the point that the promise of digital technology could result in a digital divide if people do not have access to broadband connectivity.

Private investment in this industry is also encouraged.

Lastly, the World Bank is providing support in a variety of ways, including pushing for advantageous policies and regulations to promote private investment in this industry, addressing practical difficulties such as cutting right-of-way costs for fibre optic cable operators and addressing other practical concerns. Once the infrastructure is in position, he highlighted the critical role that the development of skills plays in enabling the development of innovative applications and services that are to the benefit of the population.


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AN-Toni
AN-Toni
Editor
3 months ago

Nigeria receives $500m for Digital Innovation. – Innovation and entrepreneurship in the digital industry will be strengthened. – Express your point of view.

Last edited 3 months ago by AN-Toni
SarahDiv
SarahDiv
Member
3 months ago

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, said that the nation has obtained access to nearly half a billion dollars in funds in order to launch a local innovation funding program. And the purpose of this program is to encourage more innovation and entrepreneurial endeavours inside the country’s digital industry.
This is needful and a step to the right direction as plans to form a partnership with the Bank of Industry (BOI), will make certain that the businesses that would be aided are genuine, authentic Nigerian businesses and turn bring progress of the nation’s economy.

Adeolastan
Adeolastan
Member
2 months ago

I share your excitement about the recent news of Nigeria receiving a $500 million investment for digital innovation. This significant investment will undoubtedly have a transformative impact on the innovation and entrepreneurship landscape in the digital industry. By strengthening the support and resources available to digital startups and entrepreneurs, we can expect to see a surge in innovation, job creation, and economic growth.
The infusion of funds will provide much-needed capital for startups to develop and scale their ideas, fueling technological advancements and driving Nigeria’s digital economy forward. This investment will not only benefit established players in the industry but also open doors for aspiring entrepreneurs to turn their innovative ideas into reality.
To fully harness the potential of this investment, it’s essential to prioritize collaboration and knowledge-sharing among stakeholders. By fostering partnerships between academia, government, industry leaders, and civil society, we can create a vibrant ecosystem where ideas can flourish, and innovation can thrive. This collaborative approach will not only maximize the impact of the investment but also create a sustainable and resilient digital ecosystem.
In conclusion, the $500 million investment in digital innovation is a game-changer for Nigeria’s digital industry. It presents an incredible opportunity to strengthen innovation and entrepreneurship, driving economic growth, job creation, and technological advancements. By leveraging this investment and fostering a supportive ecosystem, we can unlock the full potential of Nigeria’s digital economy and create a brighter future for all.

Kazeem1
Kazeem1
Member
2 months ago

This program aims to promote more inventiveness and entrepreneurial endeavors within the nation’s digital industry.It offers a fantastic chance to boost creativity and entrepreneurship, fostering economic growth, the creation of new jobs, and technological improvements. Utilizing this investment and creating a beneficial environmental science

Taiwoo
Taiwoo
Member
2 months ago

In Nigeria, digital innovation will receive $500 million. This significant investment will undoubtedly alter the innovation and entrepreneurial landscape in the digital economy. by increasing the resources and help available to digital entrepreneurs