Wednesday, 4th December 2024
To guardian.ng
Search

Tijani wants tech solutions deepened to lift Nigeria’s global ranking

By Sunday Aikulola
15 November 2023   |   4:37 am
In order for Nigeria to rank high on the Economic Complexity Index for technology, the Minister of Communication, Innovation & Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, has stressed the need for entrepreneurs to develop solutions that the world is ready to consume and can be exported.
Dr Bosun Tijani PHOTO: Twitter/@bosuntijani

In order for Nigeria to rank high on the Economic Complexity Index for technology, the Minister of Communication, Innovation & Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, has stressed the need for entrepreneurs to develop solutions that the world is ready to consume and can be exported.
   
Speaking yesterday at the third edition of the Nordic-Nigeria Connect Trade Conference in Lagos, he noted that despite the nation’s progress in technology, Nigeria is still ranked second to the last on the Economic Complexity Index for Technology.
   
To him, “for you to rank high, it means you are not just producing, but exporting. That is building products that the world is willing to consume. That is the next phase for technology revolution in Nigeria, where we can deepen our design element of solution, where the solutions meet the real needs of the people and we can start exporting our solutions.”
   
He observed that the tech eco-system has been developing significantly with Lagos as a major hub. “This is the most innovative market on the continent. We have a president that has interest in the sector.”

Last quarter, our sector contributed over 18 per cent to the GDP.  Nigeria is the largest market for MTN and the second largest market for Airtel after India. Some of the biggest Fintech Unicorns are from Nigeria; that is the power of Nigerian market.”
   
On his part, the deputy governor of Lagos State, Obafemi Hamzat, said the state is initiating a lot of changes. “Most state governments are trying to make the space easier in terms of Economic Complexity Index. The Federal Government must allow states to do things differently. The Right of Way for telecommunication can’t work in Lagos. It must be unique for each state.”
   
He added: “MTN that was smaller than Vodacom in South Africa saw the opportunities in Nigeria and they came to invest. The income they generate from Nigeria is bigger than what the whole of Egypt generates from telecoms. The reality is that the market is there, so if you are able to solve problems you can come and invest in Nigeria.”

In this article

0 Comments