Pantami lauds ICT’s 17.92% contribution to GDP

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami has applauded consistent growth in ICT contributions to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which hit 17.92 % in the last quarter of 2020, and in the first quarter of 2021, and continued on an impressive trajectory.

Pantami who gave the figures at the opening of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU’s) – (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) FCDO Roundtable, and Technical Workshop on Building Capabilities for Sustainable and Inclusive Digital Transformation in Nigeria, said this “percentage is unprecedented, and this is only the contribution of ICT to our GDP without calculating digital services”.

Director, Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka in a statement in Abuja pointed out that Pantami said digital access and connectivity have become a necessity, as they play an increasingly vital role in our everyday lives and have become key drivers of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

According to the statement, he assured his audience that the “federal government understands that enormous private sector support, as well as support from international organisations, are essential to enable us to realise our lofty goals for Nigeria’s digital economy and this has informed our decision to partner with key international organisations like the ITU and FCDO.