SHALOM OLALEYE
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), in a bid to drive Nigeria’s digital economy and foster inclusive growth, is set to collaborate with the World Bank and World Trade Organization.
The collaboration was highlighted during a meeting at NITDA’s corporate headquarters in Abuja, where NITDA’s Director General, Kashifu Inuwa, welcomed a delegation from the World Bank and the World Trade Organization, led by Mr. Aleksandar Stojanov.
“We started with recrafting our Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan 2.0 for 2024-2027, which includes eight strategic pillars such as Strengthening Policy Implementation and Legal Framework,” Inuwa stated.
He elaborated on NITDA’s comprehensive plans, noting the agency’s progress in establishing a National Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) to support Nigeria’s electronic signature framework, incorporating international best practices and substantial infrastructure investments.
Mr. Stojanov shared initial findings from the World Bank’s digital trade regulatory gap analysis in Nigeria, emphasizing the critical role of regulations in enhancing digital trade. He assured that the World Bank is eager to collaborate and support NITDA’s efforts. Highlighting the importance of accessible open data for innovation, Inuwa added,
“We have the Nigerian Data Strategy which will create a balance between protection and the viability of open data to promote innovation.”
This partnership aims to implement key presidential reforms focused on economic diversification, industrialization, and digitization.