Nigeria has taken a huge step towards digital transformation, as a new report by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) has ranked the country at 71% in comparative legal, policy, and governance frameworks towards a G5-advanced state of readiness for digital transformation.
This ranking places Nigeria among the top seven countries in Africa in terms of readiness to deploy and adopt mass-market 5G networks, known as the BEMECS 5G Readiness Index.
The report, titled “Collaborative Regulation: Accelerating Nigeria’s Digital Transformation,” was presented by ITU’s Kagwira Nkonge at the Digital Economy Complex in Abuja. It highlighted Nigeria’s progress in transitioning towards collaborative digital governance, evidence-based policymaking, and agile regulation in the digital economy.
The report was developed in collaboration with the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
According to the report, Nigeria scored highly in various benchmarks, including regulatory capacity (91%), market rules (82%), collaborative governance (81%), legal instruments for ICT/telecom markets (76%), and national digital agenda policy (69%). These scores demonstrate the country’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for digital transformation.
Dr. Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, emphasized the significance of this ranking, stating that it positions Nigeria as a leader in Africa’s digital transformation journey. “This report is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the Nigerian government and its partners in creating a conducive environment for digital innovation and growth,” he said.
The report also presented a case study for a “collaborative regulation review” to assess and support Nigeria’s transition towards collaborative digital governance, evidence-based policymaking, and agile regulation in the digital economy.
This approach aims to complement existing cross-country benchmarks in which features of countries’ policy and regulatory environments are assessed based on the pillars of the Generations of Regulation frameworks.
The report was presented to a cross-section of key industry stakeholders, including service providers, government agencies, representatives of multilateral institutions, the West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA), and the Africa Telecommunications Union (ATU).
This diverse audience underscores the collaborative nature of Nigeria’s digital transformation efforts, which involve various stakeholders working together to drive progress.
As Nigeria continues to make strides in digital transformation, it is crucial to address the challenges that may arise. These challenges may include infrastructure gaps, digital literacy disparities, and cybersecurity concerns. By addressing these issues proactively and collaboratively, Nigeria can ensure that the benefits of digital transformation are equitably distributed across the country.
Nigeria’s high ranking in the ITU report is a significant milestone in its digital transformation journey. It demonstrates the country’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for digital innovation and growth. As Nigeria continues to implement its digital agenda,
it is essential to maintain a collaborative approach that involves all stakeholders, from government agencies to private sector players and civil society organizations. By working together, Nigeria can harness the power of digital technologies to drive economic growth, improve service delivery, and enhance the well-being of its citizens.
