‎Nigeria and Ghana Explore Joint Digital Innovation and Technology Collaboration Initiatives‎

‎Nigeria and Ghana, West Africa’s two largest economies and dynamic digital markets, are deepening collaborations on science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation.
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‎These efforts span research funding systems, fintech interoperability, policy alignment, and cross-border digital trade positioning the pair as potential anchors for broader regional integration under frameworks like ECOWAS and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
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‎According to Idris, The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) remains a strategic institution in Nigeria’s industrial transformation, with interventions spanning local manufacturing, renewable energy, agricultural mechanisation, digital technology and skills development.
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‎The close-out event held in Accra Ghana, highlighted alignment with national priorities and the link between robust science and technology systems and economic performance. Nigerian officials, including then-Minister Uche Nnaji, emphasised commercialisation for job creation and economic diversification, while Ghanaian counterparts stressed the value of joint efforts to drive innovation across Africa.
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‎Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda is translating government policies into tangible projects, employment opportunities, innovation and economic growth, as the administration intensifies efforts to drive industrialisation through science and technology.
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‎Speaking during the Presidential Media Team Tour of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) headquarters in Abuja, the Minister said the media tour was designed to give Nigerians firsthand insight into government projects and programmes being implemented across the country. He noted that the initiative aims to strengthen transparency and accountability by allowing citizens to independently assess the progress of key national initiatives.
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‎According to Idris, NASENI remains a strategic institution in Nigeria’s industrial transformation, with interventions spanning local manufacturing, renewable energy, agricultural mechanisation, digital technology and skills development. He said the agency is helping to advance the administration’s vision of building a productive and self-reliant economy driven by innovation, local value addition and industrial competitiveness.
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‎“We want Nigerians to see for themselves how government policies are being translated into tangible projects, jobs, innovation and opportunities. Transparency is strengthened when government institutions actively engage the public, while accountability is enhanced when citizens can independently verify progress. Our vision is clear: to move Nigeria from being primarily a consumer nation to becoming a nation of producers, innovators and exporters.”
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‎– Mohammed Idris, Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Nigeria
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‎Idris further stated that the Renewed Hope Agenda places industrialisation, technology and youth empowerment at the centre of Nigeria’s economic transformation strategy, creating an enabling environment for investment, enterprise development and sustainable job creation. He also commended NASENI’s management for promoting indigenous technology and engineering solutions that are strengthening the country’s productive capacity and reducing dependence on imports.
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‎Earlier, Khalil Suleiman Halilu, Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NASENI, said the agency is implementing a practical industrialization strategy focused on local manufacturing, technology transfer, healthcare innovation and the commercialisation of research. He disclosed that NASENI’s projects now span eight key industrial sectors across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones and the Federal Capital Territory.
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‎“Our goal is to build sustainable industries by designing products for the Nigerian market, assembling them locally, gradually increasing local content and creating factories that can compete globally. That is how we have been able to establish more than 20 factories within a short period.”
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‎– Khalil Suleiman Halilu, Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI)
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‎The event was attended by senior government officials, including the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga; Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare; Special Adviser on Policy Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman; Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi; and other members of the Presidential Media Team.
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‎Nigeria-Ghana digital initiatives illustrate a pragmatic approach: leveraging complementary strengths (Nigeria’s scale and market depth; Ghana’s progressive digital rankings and policy experimentation in some areas) to address common priorities.
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‎As talks continue, success will depend on sustained political commitment, effective implementation of research and innovation funds, progress on regulatory interoperability, and private-sector participation in commercialisation and cross-border solutions.