FG urges stronger collaboration to accelerate digital economy

In 2025, mobile technologies and services generated $240 billion in economic value for Nigeria and other African countries. The figure is equivalent to 7.8 per cent of regional Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The sector supported around 13 million jobs and contributed $45 billion in public revenues, underscoring its role as a cornerstone of Africa’s digital economy. By 2030, this contribution is projected to rise to $290 billion, driven by the expansion of 4G and 5G networks, enterprise digitalisation, and the adoption of advanced technologies such as AI and IoT.

Revealed by the GSMA in its The Mobile Economy Africa 2026, the body noted that at the heart of this transformation lay Nigeria, the continent’s largest mobile market, where operators were moving beyond traditional connectivity to become full-stack digital partners for enterprises, governments, and millions of citizens.

GSMA observed that the country had long been a leader in mobile adoption, with mobile money, fintech innovation, and digital platforms transforming financial inclusion and commerce.

“Yet, the challenge remains stark; while coverage has expanded, the usage gap, the difference between those covered by mobile broadband and those actually online, remains Africa’s defining digital hurdle. Across the continent, 63 per cent of the population is covered but not connected, compared to just nine per cent without coverage. In Nigeria, affordability of devices, digital literacy, and social barriers continue to slow adoption.”

Closing this gap is critical, and the GSMA report highlighted that infrastructure alone cannot solve the problem.

It noted that policies that reduce device costs, expand digital skills, and address social barriers are essential.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has called for stronger collaboration among government institutions, state governments, the private sector and development partners to accelerate Nigeria’s digital transformation.

It said deeper partnerships were essential to unlocking the country’s digital economy and creating new opportunities for economic growth, innovation and improved public service delivery.

The call was made yesterday by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, at the Digital Transformation Summit organised by Galaxy Backbone in Abuja as part of activities marking the organisation’s 20th anniversary.

Akume said Nigeria’s future economic competitiveness, public service delivery and national prosperity would increasingly depend on how effectively technology is deployed, stressing that digital transformation must become a shared national project.

“The future of governments will be digital. The future of economic competitiveness will be digital. The future of public service delivery will be digital,” the SGF said.