In a keynote lecture delivered today, October 3, 2024, at the 2024 International Conference on Electronic Government (ICEGOV) taking place in Pretoria, South Africa, Mr Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Nigerian Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency, emphasized that while Africa may have missed the opportunities presented by earlier industrial revolutions, there is no reason for the continent to lag behind during the unfolding of the fourth industrial revolution.

Mr Abdullahi presented the keynote lecture on behalf of Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani. His lecture contributed to a panel discussion focused on “The Role of Digital Public Infrastructure in Strengthening Trust between Government and Citizens” within the African context. Respondents to the keynote lecture came from diverse backgrounds and geographic locations, including South Africa, Brazil, and India, providing a well-rounded perspective on the topic.

In his address, Mr Abdullahi asserted that Africa has a distinct competitive advantage in leveraging the fourth industrial revolution, thanks to its demographics, which include the highest number of countries, a youthful population, and widespread adoption of mobile technologies.

He noted, “Globally, about a third of people are connected to mobile networks, but in Africa, the average is approximately 50%.”

As a result, the Nigerian government is focusing its efforts on utilizing Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) to foster trust among its young citizens, particularly given the high levels of mobile connectivity within this demographic.

Mr Abdullahi drew a parallel between earlier industrial revolutions, which relied on physical infrastructure like roads for the distribution of mass-produced goods, and the current era, where data has become the most valuable commodity and digital infrastructure serves as the new conveyer belt.

“Digital and virtual infrastructures are the roads and bridges of the future economy,” he explained.

The Nigerian approach to digital public infrastructure that Mr Abdullahi outlined aligns with the Universal DPI Safeguards Framework recently released by the United Nations. This framework emphasizes inclusivity and equity as essential components for bridging the global digital divide.

Four years ago, Nigeria adopted the principle of “co-design and co-create” while developing its digital protection policy, which has since triggered a positive ripple effect.

“You need to understand the needs of the country before building a DPI and design a solution that meets those needs,” Mr. Abdullahi advised.

However, given the technical nature of the ICEGOV conference, both novice and tech-savvy delegates can easily become overwhelmed by jargon. In conclusion, one panelist remarked, “It is difficult to build trust; trust must be earned!”