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NITDA, GIZ, DTC Host Digital Policy Dialogue to Boost Citizen Engagement

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In a continuous effort to foster inclusivity between the government and citizens of Nigeria, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), in collaboration with the Digital Transformation Center (DTC) Nigeria and the implementing organisation Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), organised a two-day event titled “Digital Policy Dialogue: Cooperate. Innovate” aimed at engaging stakeholders on the Participatory Policy Implementation Framework (PPIF).

Speaking during the event, the Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, noted that the framework focuses on involving citizens in policy development and implementation, thereby promoting ownership and accountability.

The DG said, “Today marks a remarkable milestone in our journey to reimagine the position of NITDA in the Nigerian tech ecosystem. Five years ago, NITDA faced a significant trust deficit with the tech community due to top-down policy impositions. To address this, NITDA shifted to a collaborative approach, emphasising co-design and co-creation.”

Inuwa expressed gratitude to GIZ for their support, which began with the Nigerian Startup Act created through a collaborative process. Following this success, GIZ and DTC assisted in developing the National Digital Literacy Framework (NDLF) through a similar participatory process. The initiative, according to him, has seen significant citizen engagement, with the creative sector recently volunteering to champion digital literacy in Nigeria.

He further said that, NITDA is collaborating with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to train citizens across 774 local governments and the Ministry of Education to integrate digital skills into the national curriculum by next year, which is an effort towards achieving the Ministry of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy’s long-term target of achieving 95% digital literacy by 2030 and midterm target of 70% by 2027.

Inuwa highlighted that the engagement aligns with NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0) which has one of its eight pillars as “Strengthening Policy Implementation and Legal Framework.

“To ensure sustainability, GIZ and DTC are formalising a participatory policy implementation framework that can be adapted beyond the digital sector, benefiting areas such as education, agriculture, and healthcare,” he added.

He applauded all stakeholders for their past contributions and urged for continued collaboration to solidify the legal framework policy implementation in Nigeria.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Communications, Innovations, and Digital Economy, Engineer Faruk Yusuf Yabo expanded on the expectations of the PPIF in his keynote address.

He said, “The proposed framework introduces several key initiatives: establishing multi-channel stakeholder engagement, promoting collaborative decision-making through digital platforms, ensuring transparency and accountability, investing in capacity building, and implementing robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.”

Furthermore, he stressed that the approach is designed to foster a participatory policy-making process and ensure that the benefits of technological advancements are equitably distributed.

He disclosed that the initiative is supported by partners including the European Union and the German government, which marks the beginning of a commitment to inclusivity and transparency in Nigeria’s digital policy development.

Earlier in his opening speech, the Coordinator, Sustainable Economic Development Cluster (SEDEC) GIZ, Nigeria Dr. Markus Wauschkuhn welcomed the participants to the public presentation of the draft Participatory Policy Implementation Framework (PPIF) for the ICT and digital economy sectors.

Wauschkuhn pointed out the vital contributions of NITDA, GIZ, and all stakeholders involved in creating the PPIF, noting the importance of a participatory policy-making process that includes diverse voices from individuals, communities, businesses, and institutions. He accentuated that the approach aims to ensure transparency, accountability, and trust in governance while addressing the rapid advancements in the digital age.

In her opening statement, Dr. Thwueba Dwani, Head of Digital Transformation Center (DTC) Nigeria, stated that involving stakeholders in policy implementation enhances sustainability and relevance, as evidenced by numerous studies.

She introduced the Participatory Policy Implementation Framework (PPIF) as a crucial tool for Nigeria’s digital innovation ecosystem, developed through extensive stakeholder engagement and participatory formats.

Other agencies represented at the event were the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), the Civil Society Organisation, the private sector, and other relevant stakeholders.

 


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Allison, BHM Partner to Host ‘Africa Breakfast Convos’ @UNGA79

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Africa stands at vital crossroads, balancing intricate geopolitical challenges while taking advantage of promising economic opportunities. With the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) announcing 73 Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) projects in Africa worth more than $53 billion in the last year alone, according to the World Economic Forum, and significant growth in technology, renewable energy, and healthcare sectors, across the continent, Africa is poised for remarkable progress.

In light of these developments, Allison, a globally renowned communications consultancy, and BHM, Africa’s leading public relations firm, are joining forces to co-host an exclusive breakfast event on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79) in New York City.

The “Africa Breakfast Convos,” set for Friday 27 September 2024, at the World Trade Center, will convene business and public sector leaders from various African nations, representing key sectors such as telecommunications, finance, entertainment, government, technology, and trade.

With 70% of sub-Saharan Africa’s population under 30 and projections indicating that one-fifth of the global population will be African by 2030, the continent’s youthful demographics are drawing significant international attention.

This exclusive gathering aims to showcase Africa’s immense potential for economic growth and development while emphasising the continent’s role in achieving sustainable development goals.

The event will feature panel discussions, keynote speeches, and networking sessions exploring various aspects of the African narrative: big business, technology, pop culture, creative economy, soft power, and geopolitics. It will serve as a platform to highlight expertise and innovation on the continent.

Claudine Moore, Managing Director, Africa, at Allison, stated, “The ‘Africa Breakfast Convos’ represents a unique opportunity to bring together influential voices and decision-makers from across Africa and beyond.

“We’re excited to again facilitate meaningful dialogue during the United Nations General Assembly when Africa is a focus and we are collectively working towards collaboration driving sustainable growth and social impact across the continent.”

Femi Falodun, Executive Director, BHM, added, “This event underscores Africa’s position as a land of opportunity for investment and collaboration.

“By showcasing the continent’s dynamism and potential, we aim to foster partnerships that will contribute to shared prosperity and sustainable development.”

The “Africa Breakfast Convos” aligns with UNGA79’s theme while focusing on Africa’s potential as a driver of global progress.

“It emphasises the role of business in driving sustainable development, the importance of public-private partnerships, and the opportunities for collaboration with Africans in the diaspora.


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Privacy Protection is Now Right of Citizens —Olatunji, NDPC Boss

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Dr. Vincent Olatunji, national commissioner and chief executive officer, Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), has stated that it is now the right of citizens for their privacy to be protected.

Privacy Protection is Now Right of Citizens —Olatunji, NDPC Boss

Dr. Vincent Olatunji, national commissioner. NDPC

Olatunji said this when he received a group of international data protection experts from Somalia who were on a study tour to explore Nigeria’s data protection ecosystem and its unique models.

Nigeria and Somalia are meant to exchange ideas on the protection of data, with the East African nation eager to learn what their West African counterparts are doing to keep the privacy of their citizens safe.

“It is a digital age and the protection of the privacy of all citizens of the world is paramount,” he said during the meeting held in Abuja.

“It’s now the right of all citizens for their privacy to be protected. That’s why all countries across the globe are putting in place those measures to ensure that they have their enforceable data protection rights and also put in place data protection authority to ensure that they enforce the law of data security.

‘In Nigeria, we recognise the need to protect the privacy of our citizens as it is enshrined in the 1999 constitution.”

Speaking earlier, Jamal Mohammed, Somalia’s ambassador to Nigeria, advised the delegate from his country to go home with the message that Nigeria has everything the war-torn country needs to develop. He pleaded with the NDPC DG to help his country in the area of data privacy and security.

“I’ve been here for three years now. Everything Somalia needs is in Nigeria in terms of knowledge and in terms of experience. I’d like you to take this message to Somalia,” he said.

“Don’t go to any other places. So, you’ll get anything you need in Somalia. However, in my stay here, I faced two challenges.

“The number one challenge was to convince Nigerians about Somalia. They have a phobia about Somalia. The same thing with Somalians.

“I’ve tried to convince Somalians to come to Nigeria but now they’ve got an opportunity.”


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TD Africa Opens Cross-Border Licensing Opportunities To Microsoft Resellers

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In a bid to unlock new growth and profitability opportunities for businesses of all sizes, TD Africa has pulled wraps off its fully automated Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) platform.

Through this innovative automated portal, Microsoft’s indirect resellers can now resell Microsoft licenses in 47 African countries and enjoy security, profitability, increased productivity, collaboration, and flexibility, courtesy, TD Africa.

Nigeria CommunicationsWeek reports that the automated CSP solution which streamlines the licensing process from customer onboarding to license provisioning, eliminates manual tasks and reduces turnaround times, thus, allowing businesses focus on delivering exceptional customer value while maximising their revenue potentials.

Read Also: TD Africa partners ZTE for quality and affordable smartphones

With competitive pricing and a comprehensive suite of Microsoft cloud products, businesses of all sizes now have access to a compelling solution to expand their reach and drive digital transformation.

The advantages of the platform which include: seamless license provisioning, competitive pricing, expanded reach, enhanced efficiency, and comprehensive product suite, make it an ideal choice for businesses seeking to capitalise on the growing demand for Microsoft cloud solutions on the continent.

Tobe Mbaneafo, Head of the Microsoft Business Unit at TD Africa, said that TD Africa is elated to introduce the A to Z automated CSP platform.

His words: “We are excited to introduce our Automated CSP platform as a game-changer for businesses looking to expand their operations across Africa.

“By providing a seamless and efficient solution for selling Microsoft licenses, we are empowering our partners to capture new opportunities and deliver exceptional value to their customers.

“This platform is a testament to our commitment to driving digital transformation and supporting the growth of businesses across the continent.”

Read Also: MTN Nigeria, Microsoft Partner on Cloud Data Hosting Solutions

To make the process stress-free, TD Africa has developed a user-friendly platform (csp.tdafrica.com) to among other things, enable businesses register and verify their account effortlessly, access a personalised dashboard for managing customer records, add tenants, select products, make payments, explore a comprehensive product catalogue with competitive pricing, make secure payments directly on the platform, and benefit from automated license provisioning after successful payment.

The tech distribution giant’s automated CSP platform is the future of cross-border business, offering unparalleled efficiency, scalability, and profitability.

Existing Microsoft partners can leverage this groundbreaking platform by registering at  https://csp.tdafrica.com/auth/signup.

 


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