In an ambitious move to bolster Nigeria’s burgeoning digital economy, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, embarked on a strategic investment tour in Europe, engaging with potential partners in Sweden and Wales. Dr. Tijani’s trip, which began in Swansea, Wales, and continued to Sweden on May 2, 2024, aims to secure vital foreign investment and foster collaborations in technology and innovation.
While in Sweden, Dr. Tijani attended several high-level meetings, including a roundtable with Team Sweden at the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs. The discussions focused on fostering partnerships that could drive growth in Nigeria’s tech ecosystem, particularly in areas such as connectivity, digital technologies, and research. The Swedish State Secretary for Trade, Håkan Jevrell, along with Johan Forssell, the Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, welcomed Dr. Tijani, emphasizing the strategic importance of Nigeria as a key partner in technology and startup innovation.
One of the trip’s highlights was Dr. Tijani’s visit to Ericsson’s global headquarters, where he explored the latest developments in 6G technology and discussed the critical need for semiconductors in the industry. This visit underscored the potential for technological advancement through international cooperation.
Dr. Tijani’s engagements in Sweden were extensive, meeting with representatives from several prominent institutions including Business Sweden, the Swedish Export Credit Corporation, and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, among others. These meetings aimed to strengthen ties and encourage Swedish investment in Nigeria’s digital initiatives, supported by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reforms which include a substantial $2 billion fibre fund aimed at enhancing national connectivity.
Prior to his visit to Sweden, Dr. Tijani was at Swansea University in Wales, where he toured the Clean Lab and engaged with the SEMI Talent Forum. This forum connects the microelectronics industry with government and academia, aligning with Nigeria’s strategic goals for talent development and job creation in the semiconductor industry.
The minister’s European tour is part of a broader strategy to activate the trade pillar of the Ministry’s Strategic Blueprint, focusing on enhancing Nigeria’s position as a significant digital economy in Sub-Saharan Africa. Dr. Tijani’s delegation included key figures such as Engr. Faruk Yusuf Yabo, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry; Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission; and Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency.
Dr. Tijani’s efforts in Europe represent a critical step in attracting global investment to support Nigeria’s digital transformation, setting a robust foundation for future growth and innovation in the sector.