The digital economy is the driving force of change and innovation for any nation that aspires to succeed in the new world order, Tony Ojobo, the Director of Public Affairs at Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) says.

“Digital economy is an inevitable phenomenon of the growth potentials of the dynamic ICT industry to which economies and nations of the world cannot resist. The biggest economies of the world are pursuing it with more vigour, and nations like Nigeria, with an internationally acclaimed telecom regulator, has not been left out in this pursuit”, Ojobo says.

Ojobo, who was represented by Reuben Muoka, Head Public Relations, NCC made the observation while delivering a perspective paper on: “Drive Towards Digital Economy: The Journey So Far” at the Digital PayExpo. According to him, countries cannot resist the growth potentials of the digital economy.

He describes the digital economy as the worldwide network of economic activities, commercial transactions and professional interactions that are enabled by information and communications technologies (ICT).

According to Ojobo, the digital economy is the driving force of change and innovation for any nation that aspires to succeed adding that that national growth and development is seen to be interwoven with ICT literacy/ growth and the deployment of broadband. The combination enable the evolution of innovative applications which present opportunities for growth, development and employment.

The NCC Director traced the genesis of the idea of a Digital Economy to the meeting of the G20 Group in Guangzhou, China, in September 2016, where leaders and think tanks concluded that the future of nations will be driven by ICT and broadband technologies.

“It was at this meeting that priority areas were highlighted for the digital economy to strive on: expand broadband access and improve quality; Promote Investment in ICT Sector; Support entrepreneurship and promote digital transformation; Encourage e-commerce cooperation; Enhance digital inclusion; Promote development of MSMEs, he adds.

Ojobo noted that the strategic Vision Plan summed up by the 8-Point Agenda of Management of NCC is to key into the Digital economy framework adding that the flagship of the 8-Point Agenda is Broadband.