The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Okechukwu Enelamah, on Wednesday said that the Federal Government was committed to creating an enabling environment for the nation’s economy to tap into digital economy opportunities.
The minister projected that if explored optimally, the digital economy had the potential of generating $88 billion for the country and create up to three million jobs in the next three years.
Enelamah’s position was conveyed through a statement issued by the Strategy and Communications Adviser, Ministry of Industry Trade and Investment, Mr. Bisi Daniels.
He quoted the minister to have made the projection at the ‘Invest in Nigeria’ Summit held in California, United States.
Enelamah explained that the technology sector had recorded some growth, raising its contributions to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to nine per cent currently.
He explained: “From the $20 million fundraise in Andela, to $10 million fundraise in Flutterwave, to the $7 million in SureRemit via a blockchain ICO, $1.1million in Piggybank. There are easily scores of these today and counting.
“Today we have brought you some of our best: from the government, from the private sector, technology companies, local finance, policy makers. I hope this leaves no doubt as to our commitment to establishing a winning partnership with you in Nigeria’s technology ecosystem”, Enelamah added.
The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, led the Nigerian delegation which included senior government officials, regulators, companies and some technology experts and budding talents to the Summit which is targeted at attracting technology and innovation investments into the country.
It would be recalled that the Vice President had last month inaugurated the Advisory Group on Technology and Creativity as part of government’s efforts to improve industrial policies and competitiveness for the country.
At a meeting held in Silicon Valley on Tuesday, the team interacted with Nigerians working with Google and the global technology firm promised to support the Federal Government’s initiatives to build technological capacity and skills for Nigerian youths.
