European Union to invest in Nigeria digital economy sector.

The European Union (EU) under its Gateway Initiative says it will invest about Eight Hundred and Twenty Million Euros in Nigeria Digital Economy sector over the next three years.
The Executive Vice President of the Union Her Excellency, Margrethe Vestager made the remark during a working visit to the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Pantami at the Digital Economy Complex in Abuja.

Mrs Vestager who commended the exemplary leadership style of the Minister, emphasized the need for stronger partnerships that would bring global attention to the country’s Digital Economy sector.
She listed the Union’s intervention in the sector to include; Digital Infrastructure Investments, Digitalisation of Public Services, Digital Entreprenuership, Digital Skills and Digital Governance.
According to her, Nigeria has immense potential for digitalization and with a combination of One Hundred and Sixty Million Euros in grants and Six Hundred and Sixty Million Euros in loans, the European Union aims to comprehensively support Nigeria’s digitalization strategy.
Responding, Professor Pantami reiterated the Federal Government’s willingness to partner with the European Union, pointing out that Africa has always looked up to Europe in the area of technological advancements and this partnership is a welcome development that will project the digitalization aspirations of our country.
Professor Pantami who emphasized the importance of digital entrepreneurship and the immense impact it will bring to bear on the nation’s economy said the partnership with regards to digital entrepreneurship, will address the challenge of unemployment and unemployability alongside the Nigeria Startup Bill which also aims to address myriad of issues within the ecosystem.
The Minister assured the delegation that Nigeria hopes to achieve the paperless office by the year 2030 and it is on track, taking into cognizance the rate at which public institutions are embracing the digital economy drive.
The Europen Union intervention is in alignment with the Nigeria Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS), a digital roadmap initiated and championed by Professor Pantami towards the economic digitalization drive of President Muhammadu Buhari.
PR/Chioma Ezike