Key stakeholders in Nigeria’s digital economy sector are gearing up for the sixth edition of the Policy Implementation Assisted Forum (PIAFo), set to take place on Wednesday, July 10, at Radisson Blu Hotels, GRA Ikeja, Lagos. The event will focus on “Accelerating Collective Prosperity through Technical Efficiency,” with an aim to stimulate the effective implementation of Nigeria’s renewed digital economy agenda.
The forum, organized by Business Metrics Limited, will anchor on the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy’s (FMCIDE) recently released strategic plan, which outlines Nigeria’s digital aspirations. The organisers emphasize the importance of leveraging dialogue among stakeholders to achieve the country’s digital economy targets.
The Honourable Minister of FMCIDE, Dr. Bosun Tijani, is scheduled to deliver the keynote address. Other notable speakers include Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and Prof. Ibrahim Adeyanju, Chief Executive Officer of Galaxy Backbone Limited, who will both present papers at the event.
The Lead Executive at PIAFo, Mr. Omobayo Azeez, highlighted the necessity of ensuring that the targets in Nigeria’s digital economy policy documents are met within their stipulated timelines. He stated, “Achieving these targets is crucial for Nigeria to develop a digital ecosystem that supports efficient modern economies, enhances business operations, smart public services, and job creation.”
Nigeria’s current digital economy targets include achieving a 70% broadband penetration rate by 2025, 80% population coverage by 2027, a 500% increase in broadband investment by 2027, a 22% increase in net GDP contribution, a 100% increase in telecoms revenue to the federal government by 2027, and a 50% improvement in Quality of Service by the end of 2024. Additionally, there are goals to reduce the unserved population in rural areas to 20% by 2027, double the number of startups accessing incentives, and ensure significant growth in AI and tech-enabled startups.
PIAFo continues to be a platform that garners massive participation from public and private sector players, the international community, interest groups, and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs). The forum aims to create a conducive policy environment in Nigeria, fostering coordinated efforts to achieve these ambitious digital economy targets.