By Balarabe Oshiafi
For nation-states in Africa to achieve technological emancipation in the foreseeable future, they must deploy collaborative efforts to leveraging homegrown emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and Blockchain rather than being “mere consumers”, the Sierra Leonian Minister of Communication, Technology and Innovation, Ms. Salima Bah has advised.
She also charged the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) to sustain its pioneering role in this direction.
The Minister was speaking while expressing appreciation for the invitation to the two-day expository event in Lagos which she saw as an opportunity to learn from “NITDA’s expertise in policy implementation,digital development and enforcement of standards and guidelines particularly in the area of technology clearance and compliance”.
While underscoring the expediency in collaboration in “moving Africa forward” in the area of technology ,the minister noted that the meeting between NITDA and Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Communications, Technology, and Innovations “signifies a pivotal step towards fostering cross-border collaboration and advancing digital innovation within the African continent”.
NITDA DG, Kashifu Inuwa had earlier anchored his speech on the “Forge Strategic Partnerships and Collaboration” pillar outlined in the Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0 2024-2027), and “affirmed commitment to collaborate effectively with the Ministry of Communications, Technology, and Innovations of Sierra Leone”.
The DG who was represented by, the Director of Corporate Planning and Strategy Department, Dr Aristotle Onumo, explained “NITDA’s dedication to fostering innovation without inhibiting it and emphasising the significance of co-creation, stakeholder engagements, and innovation in driving NITDA’s regulatory agenda”.
A news release made available to Expressday said Inuwa further highlighted the necessity of collaboration among various stakeholders within and beyond the public sector and elaborated on the establishment of the Digital Transformation Working Group within each ministry.
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