Akumegbulem Faith C.
On November 29, 2024, stakeholders gathered at Protea Hotel, Owerri, Imo State, to deliberate on the National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill 2024. The engagement aimed to deepen understanding of the bill and its implications for Nigeria’s evolving digital landscape.
The bill seeks to propel economic growth through digital technology, improve public service delivery, and foster a competitive digital environment. Key provisions include the recognition of electronic transactions, the establishment of digital government infrastructure, consumer protection, and the promotion of digital trade and investment.
During the roundtable discussions, participants explored the bill’s transformative potential for Nigeria’s digital economy. They emphasized the importance of a robust legal framework to support electronic transactions, enhance digital government services, and facilitate international digital trade.
The event also provided a platform for stakeholders to voice their concerns and suggestions. Many highlighted the need for inclusive implementation strategies, particularly in ensuring data security and extending the bill’s benefits to rural communities unfamiliar with digital technologies.
One of the speakers, Chukwudi Chimezie, a legal expert, underscored the bill’s objectives, including economic transformation, modernized citizen-centric public services, digital access for all, and enhanced data security. Despite significant technological advancements, he noted, Nigeria’s digital economy still faces challenges such as fragmented infrastructure and limited digital literacy.
Chimezie outlined the bill’s key provisions and potential benefits, such as promoting electronic transactions, safeguarding data privacy, addressing anti-competitive practices, and ensuring accessible government services. He also stressed the importance of a clear implementation strategy, urging stakeholders to actively support the bill’s adoption.
“This is a call to action to embrace this digital bill,” Chimezie said, emphasizing its role in shaping Nigeria’s digital future.
Imo State Commissioner for Digital Economy and E-Governance, Amadi Chimezie, expressed optimism about the bill but raised critical questions about its practical implementation. “The bill holds promise, but we must interrogate how it will be realized,” he said.
The commissioner warned of potential regulatory conflicts if the bill’s provisions are not harmonized across jurisdictions. “To avoid these conflicts, we must promote developmental regulations that support innovators, developers, and creatives rather than stifle them,” he added.
He further highlighted the need for increased government investment in digital infrastructure, urging federal and subnational governments to view the bill as an enabler for development rather than a constraint.
