The Federal Government and the European Union (EU) say they are embracing what they describe as a “digital leapfrog strategy” as part of plans to boost the Nigerian economy.
Dr. Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, said that through his Ministry, Nigeria has partnered with the EU under a broad range of initiatives that will harness technology for economic transformation in the country.
During the event, Tijani articulated Nigeria’s strategy for leapfrogging into a prosperous future through technology adoption. He spoke about the importance of the partnership saying “we will continue to welcome partners such as the European Union, as they collaborate with us to drive the accelerated growth of our digital economy.”
Dr. Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy.
Minister: Digital leapfrog to accelerate growth of Nigeria’s economy
Under the plan, the 19th edition of the Nigeria-EU Business Forum, held at Abuja’s Continental Hotel on July 2, featured a thematic panel titled “Digitization Leapfrog” that was attended by tech experts, including Tijani, Nigeria’s Tech Minister; Chairman of the Innovative Support Network, Charles Uchenna Emembolu, Adedoyin Odunfa, Marco Rebecchi, Ann Temidara, and Roger Stuart. They gathered to discuss how digitalization can revitalize Nigeria’s economy and generate much-needed employment opportunities.
Digital leapfrogging is a concept that renders the idea of gradual upgrades and development obsolete. It allows for the possibility of disrupting traditional developmental stages by taking one giant leap past steps that would have otherwise required years and significant financial investment to achieve. This means that the notion of growth following a linear pattern can be discarded with just one leap, provided that a corporation is prepared to make the jump.
The Nigeria-EU strategic collaboration seeks to propel Nigeria into a prosperous future by harnessing the power of technology.
The panelists elaborated on how digitalization can serve as a catalyst for economic growth in Nigeria, emphasizing the role of Development Finance Institutions in attracting private investment. They also delved into the challenges and opportunities present in Nigeria’s digital sector.
During the event, Tijani articulated Nigeria’s strategy for leapfrogging into a prosperous future through technology adoption. He spoke about the importance of the partnership saying “we will continue to welcome partners such as the European Union, as they collaborate with us to drive the accelerated growth of our digital economy.”
It is worth noting that while the concept of leapfrogging is not new in the realms of industrial organization and economic development, leveraging cutting-edge technologies like AI to leapfrog technical infrastructure stages represents a groundbreaking approach.
About EU Business Forum
The EU Business Forum is a platform through which the European Union addresses global challenges by forming international partnerships that uphold and promote European values and interests. These partnerships also contribute to peace and prosperity worldwide.
The recently concluded 9th edition of the Nigeria-EU Business Forum focused on the theme of ‘Fostering Employment and Building a Sustainable Future’. This event provided an opportunity to engage and explore trade, business, and sustainable investment prospects under the EU Global Gateway Strategy.
The forum brought together business leaders, policymakers, and institutional stakeholders from Nigeria and Europe in Abuja. The goa
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