The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, on Thursday in Abuja commended the Policy Innovation Centre of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group for launching a Digital Economy Community of Practice to drive inclusive growth and sustainable development for stakeholders in the Nigerian digital ecosystem, The PUNCH reports.
The initiative is the result of NESG’s relationship with the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, to identify and develop the ability of important digital stakeholders, and encourage inclusive public-private sector collaboration to allow digital growth and capacities In Nigeria.
In his comments, Pantami remarked, “I congratulate the work of the PIC of NESG towards the nation’s digital economic progress. We must join together to guarantee that the digital economy is growing.
“The job of strengthening the nation’s economy cannot be left with one institution or industry. Stakeholders must join together to help each other to guarantee that the economy is developed.
“Our modest effort is concentrated on the execution of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy for a Digital Nigeria in the 2020-2030 implementation plan.
“As we all know, this was revealed and inaugurated by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) on November 28, 2019, at International Convention Centre, Abuja.
“Within this era, to assure the execution of our national digital economy in Nigeria, we have drafted 21 national policies and all of them are being implemented.”
Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer, of NESG, Mr Laoye Jaiyeola, said the opening of the community will foster cooperation between public and private sectors.
Jaiyeola remarked, “The expansion gained by the digital economy gives wonderful potential but also carries the danger of leaving certain individuals behind. Access to and usage of digital devices and services are neither universal nor equal with women and girls disproportionately impacted, leaving the most vulnerable digitally excluded.
“The lack of a comprehensive coordination structure between the regulatory bodies, the business sector and development partners is an issue within the digital economy that deserves attention.
“In light of these realities, the FCDO has teamed with the PIC of NESG to create a Community of Practice- a platform to foster sustained cooperation across the public, commercial and development sectors to guarantee the inclusion and sustainability of a dynamic digital ecosystem in Nigeria. The opening of the Digital Economy Community of Practice symbolizes the conclusion of consultative and collaborative work in the previous year with a broad variety of stakeholders.”
The Executive Director, PIC, Dr Osasuyi Dirisu, stressed the need of bridging the digital gap via cross-sectoral interactions among digital stakeholders.
Dr Dirisu added, “At the PIC, we promote inclusion and diversity, thus our cooperation with the FCDO to conduct this initiative. Without concerted cooperation among stakeholders, the unintended consequences of digital economy development will be the expansion of current economic disparities, worsening of inequities and rising poverty.
“We strongly think the DECoP will foster an enabling environment for innovation, digital inclusion and development of the digital economy in vital sectors.”
