The Federal Government is set to collaborate with China to digitalize the process of governance and assist in curbing corruption and ensure transparency in the country.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo stated that it is important to digitalise the governance process in order to overcome graft, adding that the nation would leverage on its partnership and relations with the People’s Republic of China to achieve the feat.
The Osinbajo stated this in Abuja on Thursday at a seminar on China-Africa Cooperation in Information Technology and Digital Economy organised by the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs with the theme “Africa-China Cooperation in Information Technology and Digital Economy: Prospects and Challenges.
Osinbajo, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Information and Communication Technology, Lanre Osibono, said, “It is important to digitalise the government process; this will help with transparency and even curb corruption. We can leverage on the cooperation we have with China, we want to work with China to develop the economy.”
He stated that the nation was open for business with China, which is the second largest economy in the world, stressing that Nigeria was also willing to collaborate with China in the areas of rail transport and power generation.
The Vice President stressed the importance of broadband penetration, noting that a 10 per cent improvement in broadband has brought about one percent increase in the nation’s Gross Domestic Product.
“I expect the recommendations and proposals from this seminar that would help in deepening the relations between Nigeria and China,” Osinbajo stated.
Speaking during the seminar, the Chinese Ambassdor to Nigeria, Zhou Pingjian, in his address noted that both countries cooperate in their quest for a revolution in the Information Technology communication and digital economy, which is part of the focus of the Forum of China Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
He added that China remained committed to stepping up cooperation with Africa in information and communication technology and digital economy within the FOCAC framework especially as the FOCAC summit for 2018 comes up in September in Beijing, China.
Pingjian said, “The FOCAC Beijing Summit will unveil new measures for China-Africa all-around cooperation in the next stage and open up a new prospects for common development. China will continue to share its development opportunities with African countries and welcome them on board the train of China’s development.”
According to the Chinese envoy, both countries under the FOCAC framework since December 2015 have agreed to actively explore and push forward cooperation in information and communication technology and work together to narrow the digital divide in Africa and promote the building of an information society in Africa.
“As agreed by both the Chinese and the African side, China will host the FOCAC Beijing Summit this September which is themed with “win-win cooperation and join hands to build a closer community with a shared future for China and Africa.
“The FOCAC Beijing Summit will unveil new measures for China-Africa all -round cooperation in the next stage and open up new prospects for common development. Both sides will endeavour to combine the theme of the summit with the joint construction of the “Belt and Road” between China and Africa,” he said.
