Nigeria is among the 60 countries that are currently at the Dubai World Trade Centre in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the 40th GITEX technology Week, 2020.
Leading the biggest African country at the 5-day event which began on Sunday, December 6, is none other than the indefatigable Nigerian Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami
GITEX — meaning, Gulf Information Technology Exhibition is an annual consumer computer and electronics trade, exhibition, and conference that takes place in one of the Gulf states.
Muslim News findings revealed that the global event has in attendance over 1,200 exhibitors, including over 300 startups, from over 60 countries, including Nigeria.
Since it commencement four days ago, Dr. Pantami and the powerful Nigerian delegation which also includes the Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, have been flying the Nigerian flag at the GITEX Technology week in Dubai.
Day 1
At their arrival on Sunday, the Honourable Minister who is also accompanied by the CCIE, CEOs under the Ministry, and other techpreneurs from Nigeria, reassured the world on the furtherance of his recently successful impact in the ICT sector of the country.
GITEX 2020: Pantami Leads Nigeria’s Delegation, Speaks on Africa at Global Tech Conference
https://t.co/5t8NURD9Ds pic.twitter.com/V20xilaYG3— Fed. Min. of Comms, Innovation & Digital Economy (@FMCIDENigeria) December 6, 2020
Dr. Pantami stated a clear objective and mission at the GITEX which includes network, learn, unlearn and relearn, showcase Nigerian tech solutions to the world, foster the growth of Nigeria ICT innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem, attract Foreign Direct Investment, enhance technology transfer, in line with the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy for a Digital Nigeria that comprises 8 pillars.
According to him, “These 8 pillars are Developmental Regulation; Digital Literacy and Skills; Solid Infrastructure; Service Infrastructure; Digital Services Development and Promotion; Soft Infrastructure; Digital Society and Emerging Technologies; and Indigenous Content Development and Adoption.
He also called on the Nigerian delegates to maximize the opportunities the 5-day tech gathering offers, stating that Nigeria is coming up with a policy on digital innovation and entrepreneurship which are the prerequisites to building a digital economy.
Leader of Nigerian Delegation at #GITEXTechWeek2020, Honourable Minister of Communications & Digital Economy, 🇳🇬 @DrIsaPantami officially unveiling the country's pavilion in line with the National Digital Economy Policy & Strategy for a #DigitalNigeria.#NigeriaAtGITEX#GITEX pic.twitter.com/IbxmQqygX4
— Fed. Min. of Comms, Innovation & Digital Economy (@FMCIDENigeria) December 6, 2020
Day 2
On Monday, the second day of the ongoing event, the Honourable Minister wowed participants at the African Investment Forum (AIF) during his presentation on how Nigeria can be a strategic gateway for investment in Africa at the beautifully decorated pavilion with the Nigerian green and white colours.
The AIF is part of the official activities at the ongoing 40th edition of GITEX and the Minister delivered a brilliant keynote address, titled; “Nigeria’s Digital Economy: A Golden Investment Opportunity” that held listeners spellbound for hours.
Dr. Pantami, a respected Nigerian Muslim scholar that ‘goes to work with his faith,’ noted that Nigeria is both a geographic and an economic gateway to Sub-Saharan Africa.
Day 2: Nigeria's outing at #GITEXTechWeek2020 in pictures, led by the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy 🇳🇬, @DrIsaPantami.#GITEX2020#NigeriaAtGITEX#DigitalNigeria pic.twitter.com/UicCLwUlWg
— Fed. Min. of Comms, Innovation & Digital Economy (@FMCIDENigeria) December 7, 2020
According to him, “As a geographic gateway, it has a prime location between West and Central Africa. In other words, investing in Nigeria gives investors easy access to close to 550 million people – 200 million from Nigeria, another 200 million West Africans and about 150 million Central Africans.
“Nigeria is a part of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) and it gives us access to the African Continent, covering an area worth over $3 trillion in GDP and eliminates tariffs on 90% of goods traded across the continent. This is no doubt a unique opportunity for investors in Nigeria.”
Adorned in beautiful Nigerian white attire and a sash bearing the national colours of green and white, the honourable Minister finally made a call on investors to take advantage of the innovative spirit of Nigerians.
In a keynote address, leader of delegation and HM @FMoCDENigeria @DrIsaPantami said Nigeria has a Digital Economy Policy & Strategy on developmental regulation, digital literacy & skills, amongst others. He also highlighted investment opportunities in Nigeria. #NigeriaAtGITEX pic.twitter.com/ugH8WdCuEn
— NIGCOMSAT (@NigComSat1R) December 7, 2020
He said, “Innovation is second-nature to Nigerians and there are so many Nigerians that have made their marks through innovative solutions that they have developed”.
He buttressed his point by alluding to the Nigerian-trained Doctor who was credited to have played a leading role in the development of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine. Reports indicate that this vaccine is expected to pull in more than $8 billion in revenue by the end of 2021.
Day 3
Tuesday, Day 3 of the ongoing Technology Week, which is expected to end on Thursday, saw the honourable minister speaking at the ‘Blockchain Panel Discussion: – The end of unearned education’ as part of official activities at #GITEX2020.
The summit also witnessed a robust interaction from other international participants including the CEO, Smartworld, AbdurQader Ali; CEO and Founder, Encourage.FI, Anna Juusela; Senior Blockchain fellow, INSEAD, Ali Madhavhji, among others.
It is presented in video below:
Day 3 at #GITEXTechWeek2020, leader of the Nigerian Delegation, Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, @DrIsaPantami is set to speak at the Blockchain Panel Discussion: – The end of unearned education#NigeriaAtGITEX #DigitalNigeria pic.twitter.com/utnbkjt4Jw
— Fed. Min. of Comms, Innovation & Digital Economy (@FMCIDENigeria) December 8, 2020
As Day 4 Begins….
The #GITEX2020 which enters Day 4, continues today and as expected; it is lined up with series of activities which our medium, Muslim News Nigeria, promises to bring to you the snippets later, in shaa Allah.
God bless the Honourable Minister and his delegation for flying the Nigerian flag at the international arena.
God bless our dear country, Nigeria.
