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Infrastructure Gap Hindering Digital Economy Growth, Says Expert

Omolabake Fasogbon
The Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Quomdo Systems Africa, Oluwole Asalu has identified a significant infrastructure gap as a major barrier to Nigeria’s ability to fully harness potential of digital economy.
Asalu at a forum in Lagos, recently, maintained that a robust infrastructure, particularly in broadband and energy remained the cornerstone of a thriving digital ecosystem.
According to the digital expert, Nigeria’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector has emerged as a key driver of Nigeria’s economy, contributing substantially to the GDP in 2024 through advancements in fintech, e-commerce, and telecommunications.
He highlighted initiatives like the Fibre Forward project, aimed at laying 90,000 kilometers of fiber optic cables, and rollout of 5G networks to have set the stage for enhanced connectivity and innovation.
“However, these milestones have also highlighted disparities, particularly in rural and underserved areas”, he said.
He noted that the federal government’s National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) was a step in right direction to address identified disparity, worrying however that execution may be challenging.
Asalu acknowledged roles strategic partnerships played in advancing Nigeria’s digital economy through investments in emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), he averred that such must be scaled up to address persistent gaps.
“Public-private partnerships have proven effective, but we need more co-investment to accelerate growth,” he argued.
He further called for enhanced data protection laws and international collaborations to combat cyber threats said to be hindering digital adoption.
He underscored need for a collective effort to bridge infrastructure gap and drive digital transformation.
“The future of Nigeria’s economy lies in its digital resilience and innovation. By addressing existing challenges and building on our strengths, we can secure a brighter, more inclusive future for all,” he said.