Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, has projected that Nigeria’s ICT sector will contribute 21 per cent to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2027, up from its current 16–18 per cent.
Delivering his remarks at the opening of GITEX Nigeria in Lagos, Tijani underscored Nigeria’s transformation into one of the world’s most promising digital economies.
“Nigeria is not just a market, we are a major innovation and creative country. Lagos, in particular, is where the energy of Africa collides with the ambition of the future,” he said.
He explained that Nigeria’s stock exchange now lists technology companies as top performers, surpassing even oil firms. “This shift underscores one truth: the digital economy is not just about apps, it’s about productivity gains that transform entire sectors, from agriculture to governance,” the minister noted.
Highlighting the fusion of technology and culture, Tijani pointed to Nollywood and Afrobeats as global powerhouses with economic value exceeding $15 billion. “This is where code meets culture. Where startups and studios tell a bigger story of economic transformation,” he said.
To drive this vision, Tijani announced major initiatives, including the deployment of a 90,000-kilometre fibre backbone through Project BRIDGE and the expansion of the 3MTT digital skills program, described as the largest coordinated digital skills initiative in the world.
He also disclosed the upcoming launch of landmark legislation, the National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bills, and highlighted AI Collective, a national initiative supporting real-world artificial intelligence solutions.
“We are calling on our diaspora, some of the brightest Nigerian minds shaping global tech, to bring their capital, expertise, and networks back home,” Tijani said.
The minister called on stakeholders to join hands with government, saying, “Government investment alone cannot deliver the transformation we seek. The opportunity and responsibility now rest with all of us.
“Let us accelerate the development of the digital economy, not only for Nigeria, but for Africa and the world.”