ROFIAT MURAINA
A new report released on Thursday by Google, conducted independently by Public First, underscores the significant economic impact of digital technologies in Nigeria. The Digital Opportunity of Nigeria report outlines how Google's products and infrastructure are driving digital transformation and contributing to economic growth across the country.
With Nigeria experiencing rapid digital development, the report highlights the potential for further growth. According to the study, every $1 invested in digital technology in Nigeria generates over $8 in economic value. This emphasises the critical role of digital technology, including connectivity, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence (AI), in shaping Nigeria's economic future.
The report disclosed that, Every $1 invested in digital technology in Nigeria contributes $8 to the country's economy, illustrating the high return on investment in the sector.
In 2023, Google’s products and services—including Search, Ads, YouTube, and Cloud—contributed an estimated $1.8 billion in economic activity across Nigeria. This has significantly boosted the productivity of Nigerian businesses, creators, and workers.
Google’s digital skills programs, including Digital Skills for Africa and the Career Certificates Program, have helped millions of Nigerians, with over 1.5 million young adults learning new digital skills in 2023 alone.
The report estimates that AI could increase Nigeria’s economy by an additional $15 billion by 2030, with Google’s commitment to responsible AI development set to play a pivotal role.
In 2021, Google committed $1 billion to accelerate Africa’s digital economy, focusing on improving internet access, supporting local entrepreneurs, and fostering innovation. The Nigeria Digital Opportunity report illustrates how these investments are already creating lasting impacts in the country.
The report also provides strategic recommendations for policymakers, advocating for increased cloud-first policies and enhanced digital infrastructure to maximise AI’s potential in Nigeria. Additionally, it highlights the need for stronger STEM education and AI fluency to prepare Nigeria’s workforce for the future.
Speaking during his keynote address at a media conference at Google’s office in Lagos, Olumide Balogun, Director, West Africa at Google, stated: "We’re thrilled to see the positive impact that digital technology is having on Nigeria's economy. This report underscores the importance of continued investment in digital skills and infrastructure to unlock the full potential of Nigeria's vibrant digital economy."
In her remarks, Amy Price, Director & Head of Technology Policy at Public First, added: "Nigeria is a digital front-runner in Africa, and tech investment will be a powerful catalyst for further growth and development across the country. This is particularly true when it comes to connectivity, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence."
Google's mission is to organise the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful. Through products and platforms like Search, Maps, Gmail, Android, Google Play, Google Cloud, Chrome, and YouTube, Google plays a meaningful role in the daily lives of billions of people worldwide.
Public First is a global policy and strategy consultancy, specialising in economic modelling and opinion research. We work with international companies, governments, institutions and foundations to provide data-rich insights that tackle major strategic challenges.
