The pan-African organization Smart Africa announced a strategic partnership with Nigeria to strengthen digital infrastructure and accelerate innovation in the country. This ambitious project, unveiled by the Managing Director of Smart Africa, Lacina Koné, aims to bridge the digital divide, promote inclusive growth and establish a sustainable digital ecosystem.
At the heart of this collaboration is the Digital Public Goods initiative. By adopting this approach, Nigeria will be able to modernize its key sectors, including health, education, digital identity and financial inclusion. This should strengthen public services and improve access to digital tools for citizens.
The partnership also includes projects like the Smart Africa Digital Academy and the Smart Africa Trust Alliance. These programs focus on building capacity, promoting digital literacy and harmonizing regulations to drive sustainable digital transformation.
As Africa’s largest economy and most populous country, Nigeria plays a central role in the Smart Africa vision. The country has a vibrant technology ecosystem, a young and talented population, and strong political will to develop progressive digital policies.
-Lacina Koné stressed that Nigeria could become a model for other African nations. He insisted on the country’s crucial role in advancing cross-border projects such as the harmonization of regulations and the creation of unified digital markets.
This partnership could accelerate digitalization in Africa, reduce dependence on traditional sectors and boost the continent’s competitiveness globally. By tackling the digital divide, the collaboration between Smart Africa and Nigeria aims to build an interconnected and resilient Africa, ready to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
