Harnessing digital resources for national economy

The digital revolution is transforming lives and societies with unprecedented speed and scale, delivering immense opportunities as well as daunting challenges.

Notwithstanding the challenges, developing economies are fast-making efforts to catch up with the developed world. Although these are still early days in the digital era, there are more questions than answers about how to deal with the digital challenge.
  
Given the absence of relevant statistics and empirical evidence, as well as the rapid pace of technological change, decision-makers face a moving target, as they try to adopt sound policies relating to the digital economy. 
   
The need to find the appropriate policies for digital economy journey formed the basis of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), organised a National Dialogue on Telecoms and ICT Sector in Nigeria, themed: “Harnessing the Digital Resources for the building of our National Economy,” in Abuja, at the weekend.
  
According to stakeholders and industry thought leaders at the conference, broadcast virtually and physically, the expansion of the digital economy creates many new economic opportunities.

To them, digital data can be used for development purposes and for solving societal problems, including those related to the SDGs, and can thus help improve economic and social outcomes, and be a force for innovation and productivity growth.