The Acting Director-General of the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce (NACC), Ms. Wofai Samuel, has stressed that Nigeria’s technology sector will remain stunted unless the nation addresses its persistent power supply issues.
Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday, Samuel highlighted the inseparable link between electricity and technological advancement, warning that digital transformation cannot thrive in the dark.
“Without power, how do we even drive technology? So, power is correlated to technology. Technology is correlated to power,” she said.
Samuel noted that in the face of shifting global trade dynamics—including U.S. tariffs on exports and the potential limitations of the African Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA)—technology stands out as a key diversification path for West Africa.
“One of the easiest ways, one of the easiest platforms West Africa can diversify into is the technology sector,” she added.
She also emphasized that global technological advancement is powered by widespread internet access and data availability, pointing to developed nations as examples of how tech can drive growth and innovation.
Citing global collaboration models, she urged African leaders to adopt a more strategic and outward-looking approach. She referenced a high-profile investment by Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince in the U.S. tech sector:
“An example of America’s collaborative efforts is the recent investment of approximately $600 billion by Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince in the U.S. technology sector to advance its technological capabilities.
“If America is collaborating with other regions and countries on advancing the tech sector, whereas America is the biggest tech sector, then who are we in Africa not to follow suit?” she questioned.
Samuel pointed to the dominance of U.S. tech giants such as Meta, Google, Tesla, and X (formerly Twitter), and emerging AI platforms like ChatGPT and Meta AI as evidence of the transformative power of technology. She also cited Nigeria’s banking sector as a success story, noting how innovations in online and mobile banking have modernized financial services. Referencing a World Bank projection, she said banking and fintech are expected to be among Nigeria’s fastest-growing sectors in 2025—fueled largely by digital innovation.
To sustain momentum, Samuel urged African tech startups to leverage technology-focused conferences and summits—both within and beyond the continent—to forge meaningful partnerships and boost visibility.
She also called on policymakers—especially ministers of communications and state commissioners for science and technology—to take active roles in crafting and implementing policies that will drive long-term, tech-led growth.
Samuel’s message was clear: for Nigeria to become a major tech player, the foundation must be built on reliable infrastructure, visionary leadership, and a commitment to global collaboration.