In a bid to propel Nigeria into a future where digital technology and economic growth uplift the nation, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is set to collaborate with the World Bank and World Trade Organisation (WTO).
This collaboration aims to implement presidential priority areas focused on economic reform for sustained inclusive growth and accelerating diversification through industrialisation and digitisation.
This was revealed during a visit by a delegation from the World Bank and WTO, led by Mr. Aleksandar Stojanov, to NITDA’s corporate headquarters in Abuja.
The meeting, hosted by NITDA Director-General Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, centered on fostering deep collaboration to enhance digital trade, cross-border data services, and share ideas on developing regulatory policies to accelerate economic growth through technological innovations.
Inuwa highlighted NITDA’s move to review most of its regulations, outlining the agency’s comprehensive plans encapsulated in the newly recrafted Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP) 2.0 for 2024-2027. This initiative is part of efforts toward implementing the presidential renewed hope priority areas to enhance the country’s digital economy.
“We started with recrafting our Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan 2.0 for 2024-2027, which has eight strategic pillars, including Strengthening Policy Implementation and Legal Framework. We aim to create an enabling environment for the digital economy and digital trade,” Inuwa stated.
He further highlighted key regulatory advancements, revealing that NITDA is at an advanced stage of establishing a National Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) to underpin the nation’s electronic signature framework. The framework’s development has involved extensive research into international best practices and substantial investment in necessary infrastructure.
Addressing legal advancements, Inuwa mentioned efforts to push for the enactment of a comprehensive digital economy bill that will incorporate the electronic signature framework and other critical regulatory instruments. Emphasizing the importance of blockchain technology in enhancing the security and efficiency of digital transactions, he noted that a broader blockchain policy is being developed, focusing on the implementation of smart contracts.
Inuwa also discussed the upcoming data exchange platform designed to streamline and enhance messaging systems. “We have the Nigerian Data Strategy, which will create a balance between the protection and viability of open data to promote innovation. We need to allow people access to open data for them to innovate and make informed decisions,” he said.
He disclosed that NITDA’s regulatory department is working on streamlining its regulations to address major challenges effectively. Underscoring the necessity of digitalising Nigeria’s single window and customs procedures, Inuwa asserted that NITDA is actively participating in cross-border digital trade protocols, enhancing Nigeria’s role in the global digital economy.
“The EU just developed a Cyber Resilience Act covering software and hardware testing issues. We can also have an instrument that looks at cyber resilience, software, hardware, firmware issues, and even the national cybersecurity architecture,” he opined.
Inuwa expressed the agency’s willingness to collaborate with individuals, organisations, and experts to refine and implement these strategic initiatives to optimize Nigeria’s digital landscape.
Mr. Stojanov shared initial findings from the digital trade regulatory gap analysis conducted by the World Bank on the continent, particularly in Nigeria, highlighting how regulations can enhance digital trade. He assured the World Bank’s eagerness to collaborate and support NITDA in propelling digital trade and cross-border data services.
