Nigeria’s Minister of Communication, Innovation & Digital Economy Dr. Bosun Tijani said, almost one billion people in Africa do not use mobile internet, despite living within broadband coverage.
He stated this at the African Telecommunication Union, ATU delegates conference from across the African continent being hosted by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
Declaring the event open on behalf of the Federal government of Nigeria, the Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, represented by Mr Ahmed Mohammed Alsukun.
He noted that almost one billion people in Africa do not use mobile internet, despite living within broadband coverage.
He noted that infrastructure expansion must be matched by affordability, suitable device, digital skill trust, and local services, adding that these challenges also present opportunities.
Other speakers at the event include ATU Secretary General, John Omo, Chairperson of the Adminstrative Council, Ms Nonkqubela Jordan-Dyani, and Mr. Ahmed Mohammed Alsukun, who represented the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, all emphasizing on the need to bridge the gap in the use of internet across Africa.
In her remark, Nonkqubela Jordan-Dyani, the Chairperson of the Administrative Council and Director-General of South Africa’s Department of Communications and Digital Technologies, emphasized the necessity for Africa to enhance regional collaboration in order to tackle the escalating economic, environmental, and technological challenges.
She pointed out that disasters related to climate change, swift technological advancements, and the ongoing repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to impact trade, investment, and economic development throughout the continent.
