Digital economy will contribute 21% of GDP in 2027 – Communication Minister
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The Minister of Communication, Innovations, and Digital Economy, Mr. Bosun Tijani, says the digital economy sector will contribute 21 percent of the nation’s GDP by 2027.
Tijani said this at a one-day public hearing on the National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill 2025.
The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the public hearing was organised by the Senate Committee on ICT, Cybersecurity and the House of Representatives Committee on Communication and ICT.
According to the minister, the digital economy sector had already contributed about 16 percent to GDP, saying that it is now contributing 19 percent.
He stated that President Bola Tinubu’s administration aimed for a one trillion dollar economy, assuring that the digital economy would contribute 21 percent to GDP by 2027.
“This bill will unlock the private sector’s potentials to achieve that goal.
“Our government is committed not to quick fixes, but deep and structural investment.
“Building foundational digital infrastructure and progressive policies that will open new opportunities nationwide.”
He said that the ministry, with the support of the National Assembly, was driving the deployment of a 90,000-kilometer fiber-optic network to connect every geo-political zone, state, and local government with world-class internet access.
“Beyond this, we are addressing the needs of more than 20 million unconnected Nigerians by deploying nearly 4,000 new communication towers in currently underserved communities.”
The minister stated that the bill also provides for a national data exchange system, ensuring seamless information sharing among MDAs and between the government and the private sector.
He said that the bill provides for the establishment of a framework for the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
This, he said, would enable Nigeria to increase in competitiveness and productivity across critical sectors.
“In supporting this bill, we are shaping the future of generations yet unborn.
“The generation that liberalised our telecommunications sector in 1999 laid the foundation for today’s growth.
” Now, we take the next bold step to expand our economy through technology and innovation.”
Tijani commended the Chairmen of the committees and other members for their inputs on the bill, describing it as outstanding.
“So, I ask everyone here to rise and give our legislators a resounding round of applause for their outstanding work on this landmark bill.
“This is the first of its kind on the African continent, a clear demonstration of Nigeria’s role in setting the pace for technological advancement across Africa.
“As a nation representing nearly 20 per cent of the world’s black population, Nigeria carries a responsibility to lead.
” The cooperation we have seen among the legislature, the executive, the private sector, and civil society reflects our collective resolve to build the future Nigeria deserves.”
The Chairman, Senate Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity, Sen.Shuaib Afolabi, allayed the fears of stakeholders on perceived notion that the bill would be take over the responsibility of other regulatory agencies in the digital economy space.
“Nothing in the bill that will take away the regulatory functions of agencies regulating professionals.”
Afolabi said there was no overlap between what the bill sought to do and what the existing legislation already contained.
According to him, the bill has received inputs from stakeholders across the country.
“The objective of this bill is to provide regulatory clarity for electronic transactions in the country.
“The second part of it is that most of our ministries and agencies are still operating manually in paper form in the 21st century.
“So the second objective of this bill is to mandate government agencies to digitise their operations.
” So, when they digitise, it minimizes corruption or reduces the cost of governance.
“Thirdly, you have a number of government agencies embarking on IT initiatives but they are not coordinated .
“So this bill also seeks to harmonise and have a national framework for government agencies’ digitisation process.
“And I can tell you, in 12 months after the passage of this bill, we will all have a lot to say and show for what we have done. ”
Dr. Muhammad Sirajo, President of the Nigerian Computer Society (NCS), in his presentation, commended the efforts and inputs of all major stakeholders on the bill.
He called for a clear distinction of the responsibilities of various agencies in the digital economy sector.
He called for the promotion of advanced technologies, such as AI and blockchain, stating that the CSN would ensure ethical and professional oversight in the sector. He added that a strong digital economy depends on best standards.
He stated that the society would support the core objectives of the bill and was prepared to assist in the education and capacity building of professionals in the sector.
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