Writing by Aminu Dalhatu;Editing by Abubakar Hamza.
Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has emphasized the need for African countries to expand broadband infrastructure, construct secure data centers, and strengthen institutions that protect information integrity.
The Governor made the call while delivering his address at the Digital Government Africa Summit held in Lusaka, Zambia.
Governor Lawal stressed that, Africa’s digital agenda must be built on deliberate investment and cooperation, urging countries to refine their regulatory frameworks to encourage innovation while maintaining public trust.
“The time has come to translate aspiration into structure and vision into achievement”he said.
Governor Lawal described the summit as a historic platform that, not only to celebrates Africa’s achievements but also defines the pathways to a shared digital future.
He noted that across the continent, the digital revolution is dismantling old barriers of manual operations and creating new frontiers in e-governance, trade, and investment opportunities.
Governor Lawal maintained that, technology has become the new backbone of statecraft, the infrastructure that powers institutions, drives education, shapes security, and anchors economic productivity.
“Every sector now rests on the twin pillars of data and connectivity,” he stressed”
According to him, the summit provided an opportunity for leaders to reflect on how to embed technology into governance to enhance transparency, accountability, and inclusivity.
Governor Dauda Lawal commended Federal Republic of Nigeria for making significant progress through the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy, implemented by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), which continues to shape technology-driven governance and innovation nationwide.
He disclosed that Zamfara State has fully aligned with the national digital vision by adopting an ambitious reform agenda that places technology at the heart of governance and public service delivery.
“For us in Zamfara, digital transformation redefines how government interacts with and delivers services to the citizenry. We believe in governance that is intelligent, responsive, and data-driven,he said”
He highlighted the creation of the e-GovConnect Platform by the Zamfara Information Technology Development Agency (ZITDA), which automates internal processes, reduces bureaucracy, and ensures faster policy execution.
The platform, he noted, has improved decision-making, enhanced inter-agency coordination, and strengthened financial accountability across ministries and departments.
Through the Zamfara Digital Literacy Framework, Governor Lawal said the state is building a digitally literate population from students learning coding in schools, to civil servants mastering data management, and entrepreneurs exploring e-commerce and fintech.
“By democratizing access to digital skills, we are creating a society where every citizen can participate meaningfully in the emerging economy’
“This we complemented by establishing the Zamfara Institute of Information Technology (ZIIT), a specialized institution for advanced learning in Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Blockchain, Game Development, and Data Analytics,he added.”
As part of its digital growth plan, he announced that Zamfara would next host the Arewa Tech Festival, the largest technology gathering in Northern Nigeria, aimed at positioning the state as a regional hub for digital innovation and investment.
“Zamfara is implementing comprehensive cybersecurity and data protection measures in line with national standards under Nigeria’s Data Protection Act”
“These safeguards ensure that citizens’ data remains secure and that technology remains a servant of development, not a tool of exploitation,” he explained
Governor Dauda Lawal called for regional collaboration and interoperable digital systems that would allow African nations to trade digitally, share data securely, and collaborate on developing indigenous technologies.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to continental cooperation through frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Smart Africa Alliance, assuring that Zamfara State is ready to partner with other states and regional governments to scale digital initiatives that benefit the people collectively.
The event was attended by the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, Ministers, and the National Coordinator of the SMART Zambia Institute, among other dignitaries.
Aminu Dalhatu.
