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From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja
As part of measures to boost digital trading across the African continent, a group of 20 industrialised nations (G20) plans to maximise the potentials and sustainability of Africa’s vital digital economy infrastructure to ease digital business in Africa.
The G20 recognises the significance of inclusive digital transformation on national and sub-national economies as catalysts for economic growth.
So, in a summit scheduled for Brazil later in the year, the G20 and T20 would fashion the ways to provide support for public and private sector on national and sub national digital economy and transformation interventions.
Speaking to newsmen in Abuja, the
Co-Chair, G20/T20 Africa Digital Economy Summit (AFRIDES), Kelvin Jiraji said that the AfriDES would galvanise trade between Africa and the rest of the world.
According to him, technology contributed over 14.8 per cent in the first quarter of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Products (GDP).
This, Jiraji, said, was more than the contributions of oil.
“It is important to state from the onset that the Africa Digital Economy Summit, AFRIDES, is a strategic vision of the Group of 20 industrialized nations, (G20). The G20 recognizes the significance of inclusive digital transformation on national and sub-national economies as catalysts for economic growth.
” It also appreciates the imperative of deepening synergy with critical stakeholders worldwide to advance and enhance inclusive digital transformation. That is why it has institutionalized this side event, as a critical corollary of its agenda” he said.
One of the priorities of the AfriDES, therefore, he noted, is to foster robust engagements, leverage collaboration and partnership with heads of government, policymakers, FinTech providers, innovators, entrepreneurs, and a broad range of stakeholders and key industry players across the globe.
AfrDES, Jiraji further, explained, would also achieve internet connectivity in the rural areas.
It will galvanise business activities between the rural dwellers and the rest of the world. Digital trading, he stated, would drive economy and trade among African nations.
“Our effort is to unlock local investment with a view to boosting the African economic transactions
“As Africans, we are tired of catch-ups. Economic technology finds more meaning in Africa more than the rest of the world” he said.
