Marrakech – Nigeria’s political leaders at both State and Federal levels as well as the nation’s policy makers have a lot to learn from what Dubai’s smart government is gaining.
Dubai aims to improve the quality of digital services and use them to serve the community in all sectors. Dubai’s goal in establishing the Digital Dubai is to achieve social and economic benefits.
Through the Digital Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) country is leveraging emerging technologies and initiatives such as Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (AI), along with harnessing Data to achieve the visions of the country, said Moza Suwaidan, CEO, Digital Applications & Platforms Sector, Digital Dubai Government Establishment, Digital Dubai.
Also, Digital Dubai Authority works to standardise statistical concepts and definitions which are applied in the Emirate in conformity with international standards and classifications.
Suwaidan, while speaking to BusinessDay on the sideline of ongoing GITEX AFRICA 2024 in Marrakech, Morocco, said, “Digital Dubai brings together the expertise of four entities – Dubai Electronic Security Center, Dubai Statistics Center, Dubai Data Establishment, Smart Dubai Government Establishment – to ensure the city collaboratively achieves the vision of the city’s leadership to make Dubai a globally leading digital economy.”
She noted that Digital Dubai Authority was founded following the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum to make Dubai the happiest city on earth.
“Participation from all city stakeholders — residents, visitors, business owners, parents, and families — is a cornerstone of our strategy,” she said.
Last year, Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy disclosed plan to train three million Nigerians with technical talents in the next four years.
Also speaking to BusinessDay, Sara Al Zarooni, Data Management Director, Digital Dubai said strategic shifts are needed in the Emirate to achieve the leadership visions.
She further noted that Dubai is digitalising life and not just government services, adding that the country does this “by fostering a trusted and robust ecosystem that fosters the digital economy and empowers the digital society”.
Tijani unveiled the new strategic blueprint, ‘Accelerating our Collective Prosperity through Technical Efficiency’, as part of the Ministry’s aim to accelerate the diversification of the Nigerian economy by enhancing productivity in critical sectors through technological innovation.
Between 2023 and 2027, the Ministry has three key objectives which aim to: Accelerate the growth of Nigeria as a global technical talent hub and net exporter of talent; Deepen and accelerate its position in global research in key technology areas; and Raise the complexity and dynamics of Nigeria’s economy by significantly increasing the level of digital literacy across the country.
