- Ms Margrethe Vestager, the Executive Vice President of the European Commission for A Europe Fit for the Digital Age and Competition, has revealed that the European Union plans to invest 820 million euros in Nigeria’s digital economy.
- The EU support under its Global Gateway Initiative called EU-Nigeria Digital economy package (2021-2024), would boost the digitalisation of Nigeria’s administration to improve public service to the citizens.
Ms Margrethe Vestager, the Executive Vice President of the European Commission for A Europe Fit for the Digital Age and Competition, has revealed that the European Union plans to invest 820 million euros in Nigeria’s digital economy. The EU support under its Global Gateway Initiative called EU-Nigeria Digital economy package (2021-2024), would boost the digitalisation of Nigeria’s administration to improve public service to the citizens.
Vestager, who was on a four-day visit to Nigeria, said that the initiative will strengthen EU-Nigeria partnership, opening opportunities for the data economy. The European Investment Bank would pitch in with 250euros to bolster Nigeria’s digital identity infrastructure with the best data protection standards .It will invest 100 million euros (100euros) to enhance secure 4G connectivity in Ogun and Lagos States and triple national data capacity.
The EU would support tech start-ups and encourage innovative solutions for Nigeria’s society and economy. Further, innovation-friendly ecosystems and new digital solutions will be supported through its 9.5 million euros grants to the Nigeria Innovation Programme. Support for women and youths to empower them with digital skills, building of the fiber optic cables and data centers needed to improve Nigeria’s access to high speed connectivity, etc are of high priority for the EU, she said .The EU will also extend a helping hand to Nigeria to develop a regulatory framework with the highest standards of privacy, safety and cyber security, while promoting an open internet and digital market that upholds citizens’ rights.
