*Dr. Bosun Tijani, Minister for Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, urges stakeholders at the just-concluded Africa Internet Governance Forum to prioritise a collaborative approach to create policies and strategies to shape the future of the Internet in Africa, reflect the continent’s shared values, aspirations and diversity

Gbenga Kayode | 绿帽献妻

The Nigerian Government has subscribed to a free and secure Internet for Africa, which is capable of bridging the digital divides and creating innovative opportunities within the continent.

Dr. Bosun Tijani, Honourable Minister for Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, canvassed this position at the just-concluded Africa Internet Governance Forum (AfIGF) held September 19 – 23, 2023, in the Congress Hall of the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, FCT.

The Internet as Information Superhighway

绿帽献妻 reports this year鈥檚 edition of the AfIGF, organised by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) had the theme, 鈥淭ransforming Africa鈥檚 Digital Landscape: Empowering Inclusion, Security and Innovation鈥�.

Tijani said that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to engendering necessary collaborations and international dialogues to achieve these objectives.

Mr. Reuben Muoka, Director of Public Affairs at NCC, Sunday, September 24, 2023, stated the Minister, who addressed the forum virtually, restated that Nigeria is the largest telecommunications market in Africa.

There’s need for collaborations on cybersecurity, digital rights and innovation: Tijani

According to him, the West African country is conscious of all the dynamics of emerging technologies around Internet usage, and will continue to work with other African countries on different fronts to ensure the Internet is effectively governed, so its innumerable resources can be leveraged for citizens and national growth.

Tijani also told the parliamentarians and other participants from Africa at the forum in Abuja, that “the need for our consistent collaboration to develop our economy collectively is preeminent in the agenda of the current administration in Nigeria.”

He noted: “It is through this kind of forum that we can bridge the digital divides, enhance cybersecurity, ensure digital rights and foster innovation.

“It is, therefore, our collective duty to ensure that the Internet remains open, safe and beneficial for all.”

The Minister, therefore, urged all the stakeholders to prioritise a collaborative approach to create policies and strategies that will shape the future of the Internet in Africa that will reflect the continent’s shared values, aspirations and diversity.

Minister commends NCC, other event LOC members

The telecoms sector regulatory Commission noted Tijani specially commended the Nigerian Communications Commission, and other agencies that constituted the Local Organising Committee (LOC), on behalf of the Nigerian Government as well as all sponsors, for a successful 2023 AfIGF in the West African country.

The Minister said he was delighted that their effective planning and dedication to driving change in Africa鈥檚 digital future were commendable.

Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of NCC, at the opening and closing ceremonies at the event as well as in panel discussions, had provided insights into NCC’s commitment to driving a secure Internet ecosystem in Nigeria through various regulatory initiatives.

Danbatta stated that Nigeria has attained tremendous growth in Broadband penetration, basic Internet usage, and voice subscriptions with impressive contributions to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The EVC/CEO of NCC said as the country hosted this year鈥檚 edition of the AfIGF, Nigeria was focused on sharing experiences with other sister economies on the African continent as well as learning from the AfIGF parliamentarians from Africa to collectively drive the frontiers of the ideals of proper utilisation of Internet resources to promote socio-economic development on the African continent.

Speaking at the forum, Dr Mactar Seck, Chief of the Section on Innovation and Technology at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), applauded the NCC and all entities of government that provided support and played a great role in ensuring the success of the event.

Dr. Seck said with a forum, such as the AfIGF, African countries could continue to aggregate views that would allow them to speak with one voice to get greater benefits for African economic development.

The UNECA top official stated: “I sincerely thank the EVC of the NCC, Prof. Danbatta, who is playing a great role in the development of digital technology in Nigeria.

“I also appreciate the AfIGF Secretary-General, other sister agencies, and the Multistakeholder Advisory Group (MAG) that made the event successful.”

Honourable Samuel George of Ghana and the Secretary of the African Parliamentary Network on Internet Governance, who also spoke at the week-long event, called for free Internet 鈥渢hat is inclusive, safe and secured for all citizens of Africa.鈥�

George noted that could only be achieved through collaborative effort by coming together to build an inclusive Africa.

鈥淔or Africa to be self-sufficient, it must create an enabling environment and laws and provide digital infrastructures for young innovators to strive.

“This will, in turn, promote indigenous and local content development in technological development,鈥� George said.

The NCC said this year’s edition of AfIGF held in Abuja provided yet “another veritable platform for African countries to discuss germane issues that will pave the way for the development of a more robust digital economy on the continent.”

The Commission stated after the event, a communique issued detailing resolutions made at the event and concrete recommendations, based on which Danbatta urged the participants to ensure effective implementation as they returned to their respective countries ahead of next year鈥檚 forum.

Before the AfIGF, which started from September 19-23, 2023, the 11th Africa School of Internet Governance (AfriSIG), took place from September 13-18, 2023 and was facilitated by the Association for Progressive Communications, the Africa Union, Research ICT Africa, the Africa Parliamentary Track and the United Nations-IGF Secretariat and the Africa Youth IGF.

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