The federal government said on Thursday that its current huge investments in digital infrastructures are meant to drive growth and investments in the economies of West African countries.
The Minister of Communications, Innovations, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, who spoke in Abuja, said the present administration is committed to supporting a robust and equitable digital landscape in the sub-region.
He listed expansion of broadband infrastructure projects, the championing of sub-sea cable resilience projects, promotion of data safety and privacy and acceleration of digital literacy as commitments that would transform the region.
The Minister made the remarks at the Digital Economy Complex, Mbora, Abuja, during the opening ceremony of the 17th edition of the 5-day West Africa Internet Governance Forum (WAIGF).
The forum had the theme “Building a Resilient, Inclusive and Safe Digital Future for West Africa” with ICT experts, institutions of government, academics and members of the Organized Private Sector from across West Africa countries in attendance.
Dr Tijani said the country had different initiatives targeted at developing the digital ecosystem in the country and the region.
“As the host country, Nigeria is deeply committed to supporting a robust and equitable digital landscape across West Africa.
“We have initiatives like our Broadband Infrastructure projects, we are championing Sub-sea cable resilience, promoting data protection and privacy, and accelerating digital literacy across the nation.
“We are also developing our National Artificial Intelligence Strategy and our Digital Public Infrastructure efforts.
“We are working to deepen, democratise access to the internet, protect users’ rights and enable innovation that uplifts our economies and empowers our people,” the Minister said.
He explained that achieving internet governance in West Africa cannot be achieved by individual countries, and reminded the participants that such goals would require collaborations.
Dr Tijani enjoined stakeholders to deepen their efforts in strengthening the foundations of the region’s digital ecosystem.
“Internet governance is more than a policy conversation, it is about shaping the values and architecture of our digital societies.
“As we reflect on global processes like the World Summit on the Information Society, Global Digital Compact and regional policy harmonisation efforts, we must put our West African perspectives at the centre,” he said.
On his part, the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Malam Kashifu Inuwa, said cross-border data transfers across regions had made it very important for countries to work together.
He said that the West African region had the capacity to develop and build on issues around cyber security, internet penetration and governance, as well as harness the benefits of the digital economy.
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He urged the participants to present better strategies that could help the region progress digitally.
Also Mrs Mary Uduma, WAIGF Coordinator, said the regional forum would deliberate on issues affecting digital transactions, and other issues which could form discussions at the global level.
“Today, if you want to pay for any purchase you made within Africa, it might be difficult to use our credit card to pay, even if it is a dollar credit card.
“We want integration, inclusivity, a safe internet, we want an affordable, reasonable and available internet for all.
“We want our children to be safe online, because safety is everybody’s call and we want people to be responsible in the use of the internet, which is the way to develop a resilient future for the West Africa Internet Governance Forum,” she said.