Our Correspondent | Africa Guardian
Smart Africa Director-General Lacina Koné has announced a strategic partnership with Nigeria to bolster the country’s digital infrastructure and drive citizen empowerment. In an exclusive interview with The PUNCH, Koné emphasized the collaboration’s goal of bridging the digital divide and fostering inclusive growth across Africa.
“Nigeria is a key partner in Africa’s digital transformation,” Koné stated. “By adopting the Digital Public Goods initiative, the country will foster innovation, inclusive growth, and sustainable development in sectors such as health, education, financial inclusion, and digital identity.”
The partnership includes transformative programs like the Smart Africa Digital Academy and the Smart Africa Trust Alliance, which aim to enhance public sector services and boost digital literacy nationwide. These initiatives are part of a larger vision to develop a robust digital economy that benefits citizens and businesses alike.
Koné highlighted that Nigeria’s dynamic tech ecosystem, skilled workforce, and leadership in digital policy position the country as a trailblazer for the continent’s digital evolution. As Africa’s largest economy and most populous nation, Nigeria plays a critical role in advancing the continent’s digital agenda and creating scalable models for cross-border initiatives like regulatory harmonization.
“With Nigeria’s vibrant startup culture and commitment to digital policy, it strengthens Africa’s global competitiveness,” Koné explained. “This partnership will accelerate the creation of a unified digital market and bring Africa closer to the vision of a digitally integrated continent.”
Koné expressed optimism that Nigeria’s leadership in this collaboration would inspire other African nations to adopt similar strategies, paving the way for a more interconnected and digitally empowered Africa.
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