Nigeria to Lead Africa with First Dedicated Digital Economy and e-Governance Law

Nigeria is poised to become the first African country with a comprehensive legal framework for the digital economy and e-governance. The National Digital Economy and e-Governance Bill 2025, set to be sent to President Bola Tinubu for assent, was jointly crafted by the Senate and House of Representatives committees on ICT, Cybersecurity, and Digital and Information Technology.

The bill was discussed at a one-day public hearing in Abuja, where the Chairmen of the joint committee, Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu and Hon. Adedeji Stanley Olajide, confirmed plans to pass the bill for third reading and harmonisation within the week. By streamlining governance processes and enhancing transparency, the legislation aims to boost investor confidence and position Nigeria as a leader in digital governance in Africa.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, who was represented emphasised that digital transformation has become a national necessity, central to Nigeria’s economic competitiveness, accountability, and national security.

He highlighted that the legislation will redefine government operations and citizen access to services, creating a smarter, more transparent Nigeria built on technology and accountability.

“It is a vision for a new way of governance; one that is efficient, transparent, and centered on citizens,” he stated. “The bill provides a robust legal framework for digital governance, data protection, cybersecurity, and inclusive technology access, ensuring no Nigerian – urban or ruraL – is left behind in the nation’s digital future.”

“This bill is being awaited by President Bola Tinubu for assent this week and is a key catalyst for achieving the projected $1 trillion economy,” Tijani said, describing the legislation as a major step in consolidating Nigeria’s leadership in Africa’s tech landscape.

To close connectivity gaps and expand digital access, Tijani announced plans for the deployment of 90,000 kilometers of fiber-optic network and nearly 4,000 new communication towers in underserved areas.

The bill establishes a unified framework for Nigeria’s digital economy, e-governance, and cybersecurity, promoting innovation and secure digital operations across all sectors. It clarifies regulations for electronic transactions, mandates digitisation of government operations, introduces a national AI integration system, and requires a unified data exchange to address fragmented government databases.