Pantami led-Nigerian delegation Holds strategic meeting with Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami led Nigerian Delegation to a strategic meeting with the Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA).
The meeting was part of Pantami’s drive towards the Federal Government’s digital transformation agenda, particularly in a bid to network and fast-track the implementation of Nigeria’s National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy for a Digital Nigeria (NDEPS) 2020 – 2030.
The Minister in a media chat said the visit was to get first-hand information about the integrated free zone technology park, encourage technology transfer and explore possible areas of collaboration with a win-win relationship.
The high-level strategic meeting was also part of a move to forge a strategic partnership that will deepen the growth of Nigeria’s ICT Innovation and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem and also enhance the provision of digital services to Nigerians in line with Nigerian’s NDEPS for a Digital Nigeria.
The Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA) manages DSO designed as a hi-tech ecosystem in Dubai and offers a wide range of benefits.
It is considered to be the only technology park in the region that provides both a living and working integrated community.
The free zone technology park that facilitates and promotes modern technology-based industries and supports the region’s demand for business expansion.
TechEconomy.ng recalls that, last month, the Nigerian Minister, Dr Pantami commissioned Nigeria’s first-ever National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics aimed at identifying and promoting promising Nigerian startups with creative solutions related to emerging technologies.
Pantami speaks to TechEconomy.ng on visit to DSOA during GITEX 2020.
“Our visit to Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA) is to see the process they have followed to digitalise and transform the entire city which is highly commendable.
“Whenever you have an idea that is transformative, it is better to approach and learn from someone who has already achieved it to minimize your mistakes and errors.
“So, we are here to explore how they established the city so we can take the idea back home and share with the Minister, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and see how we can assist them digitally”.
The Minister said that there are State Governors in Nigeria who are also proactive and have developed promising digital concepts.
To this end, “We can also share with them areas for partnership so that we can replicate this digital plan in our country”, he said.
The Minister was accompanied to the meeting by the Director General of National Information Technology Development Agency – NITDA, Mallam Kachifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CEO of NIGCOMSAT, Dr Abimbola Alale, Director of Corporate Planning and Strategy Dept, NITDA, Dr Agu Collins Agu; Head of CAER, NITDA, Hajia Hadiza Umar; TA to the Hon Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Kalli Zannah; PA to the DG NITDA, Hassan Abubakar, among others.
By PRNigeria
