Onome Amuge
A new report conducted by Public First, a leading policy, research, opinion and strategy consultancy, has revealed that Google products and services—including Search, Ads, YouTube, and Cloud—contributed an estimated $1.8 billion in economic activity across Nigeria in 2023, underscoring the significant economic impact of digital technologies in Nigeria, as well as the high return on investment in the sector.
The Digital Opportunity of Nigeria report, offers a comprehensive account of the ways in which Google’s products and infrastructure are spearheading digital transformation in the country and strengthening its economic growth.
The report identified some of the noteworthy benefits that Google’s technologies have brought to Nigeria, including the impact of Google’s digital skills programmes such as Digital Skills for Africa and the Career Certificates Programme, enabling over 1.5 million young Nigerians to acquire new skills in 2023. Google’s innovative technological offers were also seen to have enabled workers to save an estimated 22 million hours each week, thereby boosting the productivity of Nigerian businesses, creators, and workers.
The report outlines a potentially lucrative future for Nigeria’s economy with the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), predicting a potential additional economic value of $15 billion by 2030.
Google’s commitment to investing $1 billion in accelerating Africa’s digital economy in 2021, with a specific focus on improving internet access, supporting local entrepreneurs, and fostering innovation, is already reaping significant benefits in Nigeria.
The Nigeria Digital Opportunity report highlights the tangible impacts that these investments are having on the country, with improved digital infrastructure, increased entrepreneurial opportunities, and heightened levels of innovation in Nigeria, all of which bode well for the country’s long-term economic prospects.
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.
Commenting on the report, 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.”
Amy Price, director & head of technology policy at Public First, remarked:
“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.”
