The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, has underscored the pivotal role of renewable energy and digital innovation in bridging Nigeria’s inclusion gap and accelerating rural transformation.
Speaking as a panellist during the Civil Society Policy Forum at the 2025 World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund (IMF) Annual Meetings in Washington D.C., Inuwa described renewable energy as the “lifeline” of digital transformation, stressing that energy access is the foundation for economic participation and social equity.
“Renewable energy is not the destination, it is the catalyst. When there is power, connectivity follows, and that connectivity triggers true transformation,” he stated.
Inuwa illustrated how the intersection of clean energy and technology can uplift rural economies. From AI-powered farming tools that enhance agricultural yield to digital marketplaces for women entrepreneurs and remote work opportunities for youth, he noted that technology, when powered sustainably, can redefine livelihoods.
“A farmer with a mobile app can double his income and empower his community. A young person with internet access doesn’t need to move to Lagos or Abuja to succeed, he can work from his village and earn in dollars,” Inuwa added.
He linked these initiatives to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes sustainability, inclusion, and diversification. According to Inuwa, Nigeria’s digital economy framework under the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy is anchored on five pillars, knowledge, policy, infrastructure, innovation and entrepreneurship, and trade, while NITDA’s operational roadmap expands this into eight strategic pillars, including digital literacy, cybersecurity, research, and strategic partnerships.
Highlighting education as a foundation for long-term change, he revealed that NITDA, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education, is integrating digital literacy into the national curriculum, from early education to tertiary levels. In addition, digital competency has become a requirement for recruitment and promotion within the Nigerian civil service.
Through these initiatives, NITDA aims to train 50 million Nigerians by 2027, empowering a digitally skilled workforce capable of steering the nation’s transformation.
“Our vision is clear, our path is set, and our determination is unwavering. We are building a digitally inclusive and prosperous Nigeria and everyone has a role to play,” Inuwa concluded.
Also speaking at the session, Fowzia Hassan, Senior Operations Officer for Infrastructure at the World Bank Group, reaffirmed the Bank’s dedication to expanding Africa’s energy access through its Mission 300 (M300) initiative, which targets 300 million new electricity connections by 2030.
She explained that the initiative integrates the efforts of the World Bank, IFC, and MIGA, aiming to strengthen regulations, attract private capital, and deploy innovative financing such as blended finance and risk-sharing mechanisms to power underserved communities.
Addressing the gender gap in the renewable energy sector, Hassan cited data from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) showing that women make up just 32% of Africa’s renewable energy workforce, mostly in non-technical roles. She emphasized the need for policies that increase women’s participation in technical and leadership capacities.
“Women are not just energy consumer, they are innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders. A clean and inclusive energy transition must empower them fully,” she stressed.
Hassan further highlighted World Bank–supported collaborations such as the DAIRS Programme in Nigeria, which is mobilizing over $1 billion for mini-grids and solar project and the Women in Energy Network Africa (WEN-Africa), which has already facilitated employment for 57 women, with a target of creating 4,000 energy jobs for women within three years.
“A just energy transition is not merely about connecting homes—it’s about empowering people. When energy meets innovation, prosperity follows,” Hassan concluded.