Nigeria Set To Pioneer Africa’s First Digital Economy and E-Governance Law

Nigeria is on the verge of making history as the first African country to enact a comprehensive legal framework dedicated to digital economy and e-governance.

The National Digital Economy and e-Governance Bill 2025, jointly sponsored by the Senate and House Committees on ICT and Cybersecurity, is expected to be transmitted to President Bola Tinubu for assent this week.

The bill aims to modernise Nigeria’s public service delivery and bridge the country’s digital divide, amid ongoing challenges such as weak inter-agency data coordination, slow adoption of e-government platforms, poor ICT infrastructure, and limited internet access for more than 20 million citizens.

Despite the remarkable growth of the country’s fintech and telecommunications sectors, many government institutions still depend on paper-based systems, manual verification, and physical processes, inefficiencies that have fuelled corruption and slowed service delivery.

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Momentum for the legislation grew stronger on Monday during a one-day public hearing in Abuja, where the joint committee chairmen, Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu and Hon. Adedeji Olajide, announced that both chambers of the National Assembly would conclude third reading and harmonisation this week.

Addressing stakeholders at the session, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, revealed that President Tinubu is ready to sign the bill once it is passed.

“This bill is being awaited by President Bola Tinubu for assent this week. It is one of the catalysts for achieving the projected $1 trillion economy,” Tijani said.

He added that the law would consolidate Nigeria’s leadership in Africa’s technology and innovation ecosystem.

“The digital economy, which once contributed about 16 percent to our GDP, is now tracking at 19 percent. Under the President’s leadership, we are targeting a $1 trillion economy by 2027, with digital technology contributing 21 percent to GDP. This bill will unlock private sector potential to achieve that goal,” he said.

To strengthen connectivity and close digital access gaps, Tijani disclosed that the Federal Government is currently deploying 90,000 kilometres of fibre-optic cable nationwide and constructing about 4,000 new communication towers in underserved communities.

The bill also provides for a national framework on artificial intelligence integration and a unified government data exchange system to eliminate the fragmentation of databases among Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

Senator Salisu described the proposed legislation as “groundbreaking,” saying it would redefine governance in the digital age.

“The objective of this bill is to provide regulatory clarity for electronic transactions and compel government agencies to digitise their operations and services. It will serve as the backbone of Nigeria’s digital economy,” he said.

Hon. Olajide, co-chair of the committee, added that the measure would “usher in a new era of digital transformation” across the public sector.

The bill has received overwhelming support from key stakeholders, including the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), NIGCOMSAT, NIPOST, Galaxy Backbone, and the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation.

Once enacted, the law is expected to streamline governance processes, enhance transparency, attract investment, and position Nigeria as a continental leader in digital governance and innovation.