NITDA Begins Validation of Digital Economy Measurement Framework
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NITDA Begins Validation of Digital Economy Measurement Framework
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
The National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA has commenced moves to develop a national framework for measuring the impact of digital technologies on Nigeria’s economy, with a view to strengthening evidence-based policymaking and accelerating digital transformation.
The initiative was unveiled during a Stakeholder Engagement and Validation Workshop on the Indicators and Measurement Framework for the National Research Study on the Impact of Digital Technologies on Nigeria’s Economy, held at the e-Government Training Centre of the Public Service Institute of Nigeria in Abuja.
Speaking at the workshop, the Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, represented by the Director of the Special Duties Unit, Olawumi Oladejo, said achieving a globally competitive digital economy requires more than deploying technology, noting that reliable data, credible evidence and institutional collaboration are critical to sustainable development.
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According to him, Nigeria has made significant progress in digital payments, broadband expansion, digital public services, innovation ecosystems and digital entrepreneurship.
He, however, said the absence of a harmonised national measurement system has made it difficult to accurately assess the impact of these investments, identify gaps and prioritise future interventions.
Inuwa explained that the proposed national research study would provide a credible evidence base for understanding how digital technologies contribute to economic growth, employment, innovation, financial inclusion, public service delivery and national competitiveness.
He added that the initiative aligns with NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan 2.0, which prioritises data-driven policymaking and technology research.
Chairman of the Technical Steering Committee and Director of Research and Development at NITDA, Dr Saidu Mohammed Kumo, said although Nigeria’s digital economy continues to expand rapidly, the country’s capacity to systematically measure its impact on productivity and social inclusion has not kept pace.
He disclosed that researchers drawn from the six geopolitical zones, working in collaboration with the National Bureau of Statistics, developed a statistically sound framework built around three major dimensions—digital infrastructure and access, digital capabilities and skills, as well as digital adoption and the enabling environment.
The framework, he said, covers five priority sectors: financial services, government services, e-commerce and digital trade, telecommunications, and e-health.
Kumo further revealed that the committee had proposed 81 core indicators to assess the impact of digital technologies on businesses and society, adding that stakeholders at the workshop reviewed the indicators, examined sector-specific methodologies and made recommendations ahead of the nationwide data collection exercise.
Also speaking, a representative of the Statistician-General of the Federation, Mrs Saadatu Hayatuddeen Auwal, reaffirmed the commitment of the National Bureau of Statistics to support the initiative through technical collaboration and the provision of reliable statistics.
Representatives of the Federal Ministry of Health also pledged support, noting the growing role of digital technologies such as electronic health records, telemedicine and data-driven disease surveillance in improving healthcare delivery while calling for stronger collaboration on data sharing.
