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From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has said that a more educated and skilled workforce is crucial to the growth of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of any economy.
Kalu, according to a statement by his Special Assistant (SA) on Press Affairs, Udora Orizu, stated this in a keynote address at the SMFest Annual Conference in Abuja.
Consequently, the Deputy Speaker called for increased investments in human capital development, noting that a more educated and better skilled workforce can lead to higher productivity and better problem-solving.
He stated that the theme of the conference, “Africa Unlocked: Leading the Digital Revolution,” is apt as unlocking Africa is not just about technology but about young Africans turning challenges into opportunities and ideas into innovations.
Kalu, while noting that the digital tools at the disposal of young persons today are more powerful than what anyone could have imagined, stated that the “GSMA’s Mobile Economy Report also notes that Africa now has over 489 million unique mobile subscribers, with mobile broadband networks covering nearly 86% of the population, a figure that would have been unthinkable two decades ago.”
Nonetheless, he said: “But let me be clear: tools alone don’t transform nations, people do. Technology without purpose can amplify noise, not impact. The same determination that drove us to build roads and schools must now drive you to build platforms, startups, and solutions that will redefine Africa’s future.”
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According to research done in 2020 by the International Finance Corporation and Google, Africa’s Internet economy could contribute as much as $180 billion to the continent’s GDP by 2025, accounting for roughly 5% of total output. The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa has also highlighted this potential, describing the digital sector as one of the key engines of Africa’s future growth.
“If we invest not just in connectivity, but in creativity and capacity. That is the opportunity before us. Unlocking Africa: From Mindset to Marketplace. This year’s theme, “Africa Unlocked: Leading the Digital Revolution,” could not be more timely. Unlocking Africa is not just about technology; it is about people: young Africans turning challenges into opportunities and ideas into innovations.
“The future belongs to those who dare to reimagine what is possible. Yet, we must acknowledge the landscape before us, for it is through understanding reality that we unlock opportunity.
“Nigeria’s economic landscape is evolving, and there is much to celebrate. Daba finance reports that Nigeria still raised US$331.6 million, demonstrating that our creative spirit, ambition, and leadership in innovation remain unmatched on the continent.”
Furthermore, the Deputy Speaker added that: “We must humanise the digital revolution, ensuring that the boy in Akure, the girl in Benin, the trader in Aba, and the farmer in Sokoto are not left behind. Because if innovation is not inclusive, it becomes inequality. Africa’s future belongs to those who dare to dream, to act, and to build.”
