NITDA DG Advocates West African Cooperation for Digital Sovereignty
The Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, has called on West African nations to deepen collaboration in building shared digital infrastructure and governance frameworks to drive economic integration and digital self-determination across the sub-region.
Abdullahi made the call on Monday while delivering a keynote address at the Second West African Digital Governance Forum (WADGov) held in Abuja. The event brought together representatives from 15 ECOWAS member states, including Benin, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, and Nigeria.
Jointly organised by the United Nations University Operating Unit on Policy-Driven Electronic Governance (UNU-EGOV), the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), and supported by the German Development Agency (GIZ), the forum seeks to promote policy dialogue, shared standards, and regional cooperation in digital governance.
Abdullahi emphasized that Africa must transition from merely adopting digital tools to designing inclusive, sustainable, and citizen-focused digital ecosystems.
“Digital today is a lifestyle. Our citizens are online, so governments must also be online. This requires deliberate design and collaboration to ensure sustainability,” he said.
“Technology is not our ultimate goal. Our goal is to use it to deliver quality services, build trust, and enhance citizens’ experiences. Since digital has no boundaries, we must establish common standards, protocols, and policies that allow for regional integration.”
The NITDA boss stressed the need for “digital bridges”—regional systems that enable seamless exchange of digital services, data, and innovation within Africa.
“It’s easier today to consume digital services from Europe or the US than from neighbouring African countries,” he noted. “If our financial transactions and internet traffic must route through foreign networks, then we lack digital independence. The only way forward is through collaboration platforms like this to build regional infrastructure and interoperability.”
Read Also:
Abdullahi reiterated that digital sovereignty—owning and controlling Africa’s data—is key to the continent’s economic resilience and independence.
“Whoever controls your data controls your future,” he warned. “To control our economy and destiny, we must build our own digital infrastructure and frameworks.”
He listed several Nigerian initiatives advancing that vision, including the National Digital Literacy Framework, which integrates digital education from kindergarten to tertiary level, and the Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) Programme, designed to position Nigeria as a “global talent factory.”
Abdullahi also highlighted Project Bridge, a national initiative aimed at expanding fibre-optic connectivity and establishing local cloud infrastructure to ensure universal digital access.
In her remarks, Arpine Korekyan, Governance and Public Administration Officer at UN DESA, commended Africa’s digital progress but identified gaps in affordability, infrastructure, and policy alignment as barriers to inclusive digital growth.
“Digital transformation must remain human-centred—empowering people, enhancing participation, and leaving no one behind,” Korekyan said.
Eva Scholtes of GIZ described the forum as “a critical platform for building sustainable partnerships,” warning that without sound governance, the digital revolution could deepen inequality.
Similarly, Prof. Delfina Soares, Director of UNU-EGOV, said the initiative is part of a broader global framework connecting Africa and Asia to strengthen knowledge exchange and policy innovation.
“The question before us is not merely how to digitalise government, but how to govern digitalisation,” she stated. “Technology must serve people, build trust, and promote prosperity for all.”
Launched in 2023, the West African Digital Governance Forum provides a regional platform for cooperation on digital governance, policy harmonisation, and knowledge sharing. This year’s forum focuses on key themes such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data sovereignty, infrastructure development, and digital inclusion—all essential to Africa’s long-term digital and economic resilience.
By PRNigeria
