Nigeria Newspapers Online

Africa’s prosperity is inextri­cably tied to the quality of its digital infrastructure.

Recall that achieving a vibrant, inclusive, and secure digi­tal economy in Africa requires more than basic access to the internet.

It necessitates a comprehensive ap­proach that considers the entire digi­tal ecosystem, integrating additional foundational elements to complement infrastructure.

While the availability of internet or broadband access is an important first step in getting people online, DPI represents the foundational guide­rails for digital transactions among people, businesses, and governments to make them more inclusive, effi­cient, and innovative.

Open standards and interfaces al­low DPI to drive innovation in the public and private sectors, while digital identification and authenti­cation of people, and the capability for seamless digital transactions, are prerequisites for a holistic and com­prehensive digital transformation.

A thriving digital African econo­my, moreover, needs more than infra­structure alone.

It also depends on the presence of a sizable and skilled tech-savvy workforce that can build on digital advancements to drive innovation and productivity, creating a dynamic ecosystem that enables businesses to enter the digital realm and scale up successfully.

Once these essential foundations are firmly established, a wide range of transformative use-cases emerge, primarily driven by the private sec­tor.

Speaking at the Hyperscalers Con­vergence Africa Conference during a panel session themed ‘Innovating Towards Africa’s Digital Future,’ Mr Atanda stressed that Africa’s devel­opment depends on innovative strat­egies that cater to the continent’s unique challenges and opportunities.

The panel session brought togeth­er key industry leaders, including Wabo Majavu, Executive, Strategy & Business Operations at Africa Data Centres; Ifeanyi Akosionu, Managing Director, INQ Digital; and Frank El­eanya, Senior Writer, Infrastructure, Business and BigTech at TechCabal.

The discussions centred on how digital infrastructure could unlock new possibilities for Africa’s econom­ic growth and sustainability.

“Africa’s prosperity is fundamen­tally tied to the quality of its digi­tal infrastructure,” Mr Atanda re­marked.

“Solving Africa’s problems within its context will yield multidimension­al benefits.

“Improved digital infrastructure will enhance the quality of life across the continent, connecting Africa in unprecedented ways.

“Moreover, expanding digital infra­structure will significantly enhance skills development in Africa, connect­ing more people and creating vast op­portunities. This capacity building is crucial for our continent’s growth.”

“Africa’s digital transformation requires a unified vision and a com­prehensive infrastructure agenda, driven by dedicated promoters and community involvement. By integrat­ing diverse skills and fostering col­laboration, we can accelerate trade, expand local economies, and enhance the quality of life across the conti­nent.

“Continuous monitoring and eval­uation will ensure sustainable prog­ress, making Africa a significant play­er in the global digital landscape,” he added.

Echoing this sentiment, Wabo Ma­javu, Executive, Strategy & Business Operations at Africa Data Centres, stated, “We are building for a fu­ture we have not yet seen, and this requires constant collaboration and communication.

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Adopting a DevOps culture is essen­tial for our success. We must focus on interconnected solutions and collabo­rate with government programmes to execute our plans effectively.”

Her call for collaboration under­scores the need for a unity of vision in Africa’s digital transformation, highlighting that innovation cannot exist in isolation.

In Nigeria, digital adoption has grown significantly, with internet penetration reaching 52% of the population in 2023, according to the Nigerian Communications Commis­sion (NCC).

The country also witnessed a rise in mobile broadband subscriptions, which surpassed 92.3 million users in 2022, reflecting the increasing de­mand for digital services across the nation. Despite these advancements, significant gaps remain, particularly in rural areas where infrastructure development and digital inclusion are still lagging.

Expanding digital infrastructure to unserved and underserved re­gions will be key to addressing these challenges and driving sustainable growth.

Olusola Teniola, Director of Stra­tegic Business Initiatives at IPNX, reinforced this perspective by stat­ing that, “With Africa’s population projected to reach 2.4 billion by 2050, the urgency of investing in digital infrastructure has never been more evident. This investment is not just about laying fibre-optic cables or expanding data centres; it is about building a foundation for collabora­tion, future growth, innovation, and economic prosperity.”

This sense of urgency adds a com­pelling dimension to the need for swift and strategic investment across the continent.

Mr Atanda further emphasised the critical role that innovation plays in addressing Africa’s challenges.

He noted that while there have been significant advancements in the digital payment space, there is still much work to be done, particularly in creating intra-African payment systems that facilitate trade and eco­nomic collaboration without relying on external channels.

He affirms that Remita is at the forefront of this innovation, redefin­ing the ease of connected payments digitally.

He noted that Remita plays a piv­otal role in Nigeria’s financial eco­system, offering innovative payment solutions that simplify the way indi­viduals, organizations, and govern­ment entities manage their financial transactions.

“Pan-African payments have been a long time coming. It’s time to take ownership of our digital future and ensure that our solutions are de­signed by Africans, for Africans. We need to build capacity at scale and create opportunities for the continent to thrive,” he quipped.

One of the key messages Remita’s Managing Director delivered during the session was the importance of community involvement in shaping Africa’s digital future.

He called for a collective effort from various stakeholders, includ­ing governments, businesses, and educational institutions, to promote and implement a unified digital in­frastructure agenda.

“To succeed, we need to engage communities at all levels—whether it’s local communities, governments, or the investment community. This will ensure that Africa’s digital infra­structure meets the unique needs of each region while driving sustainable development,” he explained.

Mr Atanda established that by ad­vocating for the creation of an Afri­can digital infrastructure investment bond is a necessity which would en­courage both local and international stakeholders to invest in the conti­nent’s digital future.

“Africans must take responsibili­ty for shaping our digital destiny. If we don’t, others will do it for us. We need to start framing the conversa­tion around digital infrastructure in a way that highlights the immense op­portunities available and encourages investment in this critical sector,” he said.

• Deremi Atanda is Managing Di­rector of Remita Payment Services Limited (RPSL).