FG seeks AfDB’s intervention on ICT infrastructure

Published by

The Federal Government has called on the African Development Bank (AFDB) to intervene in building the trans-Saharan optic fiber backbone/national broadband backbone and develop ground station for Nigeria Communication Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) and other critical ICT infrastructure, to enable the nation to attain the fourth industrial revolution.

The Minister of Communications, Dr. Adebayo Shittu made the call recently in Abuja, during a meeting between the team of the African Development Bank Group led by its Government Relations Coordinator, Linda Amadi and officials of the Ministry in Abuja.

The meeting was aimed to identify the real reasons why certain technologies could not be adopted in Africa and recommend the development strategy for Africa government, the private sector, and development partners, including AFDB.

Shittu explained that the trans-Sahara optic fibre backbone would ensure effective broadband penetration in all rural areas, not only in Nigeria but in entire Africa.

He requested the AFDB to assist in the implementation of the National Addressing System (NAS) activities such as procuring the needed cadastral based map at the scale of 1:5000 and 1:10000, engage a notable software developer to build NAS data ecosystem infrastructure and integrated software/associated applications.

ALSO READ: Artificial intelligence and future of law practice in Africa

The Minister said, “securing intervention from the AFDB on the certain critical ICT infrastructure including the development of R&D centres, ICT parks and ICT village amongst others, were crucial for launching the country in particular and Africa as a whole into the fourth industrial Revolution where trends such as internet of things (IoT) Robotics, virtual reality (VR) and Artificial intelligence could be realized to change the way people live and work.”

Addressing the Ministerial team, the AFDB’S Senior Consultant from techno polis Group, Stephen Krevrer said the delegation aims at conducting field studies to seek detailed information to understand which technology has the potential to impact on the economy and society at large.

He noted that Artificial Intelligence, Block Chain, 3D printing, Drones and Internet of things, are the five key areas AFDB seeks to uncover their potentials to impact positively in Education, Health care, Transportation, Manufacturing and Agricultural Sectors to transform the African economy.

The African Development Bank had selected Nigeria, South Africa, Cameroon, Morocco and Uganda for a case study on unlocking the potential for the fourth industrial revolution in Africa and to collate detailed information which will enable them to understand the technologies that have potentials and ascertain the preconditions for their adoption and potential impact on the economy and society at large.

Recent Posts

2025: 6 phones with the best cameras

A phone with the best camera is all you need at first if you're an…

1 minute ago

Ground rent: Senator Kingibe, FCT Minister trade words over revocation of properties 

He said, "It is ridiculously embarrassing that a serving Senator of the Federal Republic of…

3 minutes ago

Wike seeks NASS intervention in FCT primary school teachers’ strike

"That is what the chairman of House Committee of the National Assembly has to look…

7 minutes ago

The Rave Revolution: How Gen Z and EDM are rewriting Nigeria’s night life

In the heart of Nigeria’s ever-pulsing music scene, a quiet rebellion is unfolding. While Afrobeats…

20 minutes ago

NAPTIP invites Speed Darlington for admitting sleeping with 15-year-old

“Additional archived videos, now in circulation, similarly contain admissions and degrading commentary concerning minors.“

25 minutes ago

Kano govt releases N16bn gratuity payment to ex-councillors, current officials

The Kano State Government has begun the disbursement of over N16 billion in gratuity payments…

31 minutes ago

Welcome

Install

This website uses cookies.