We don’t want Nigeria to make our internet mistakes, says US senator

Edward Markey, US senator and a ranking Democratic Party member, says he does not want Nigeria and the rest of Africa to make the mistakes his home country made with the internet.

Markey, a member of the Africa and global health policy subcommittee of the US senate foreign relations committee, said Nigeria must make tax policies to drive internet penetration.

Leading a congressional delegation to Lagos from August 12 to 14, 2016, Markey and his team are working to see swift internet penetration in Africa’s most vibrant market.

He heard from Nigerian technology leaders and young entrepreneurs on August 13 regarding their successes and challenges, and offered remarks on his efforts to expand internet access and digital literacy to enhance economic development, education, and good governance in developing countries.

Markey said Nigeria has to work to better Kenya, which has 3.8 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) coming directly from the internet.

He said for every 10 percent increase in internet penetration, there is a direct two percent growth in GDP, adding that Nigeria, having missed the industrial revolution, must not miss the broadband revolution.

Markey’s bicameral delegation includes Karen Bass (D-Calif.), ranking Democratic Party member, and Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), of the Africa and global health, global human rights and international organizations subcommittee of the house foreign affairs committee.

The delegation also met with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Saturday to discuss how public-private partnerships in the areas of technology and infrastructure can promote economic growth and development.

In his remarks to an audience of prominent technology leaders in business, civil society, government, and especially young entrepreneurs, Markey emphasized that internet connectivity and successful economic development are inextricably linked in the 21st century’s global economy.

“It will be the entrepreneurial and creative attitude of the people in Nigeria and across the African continent that will be the key to overcoming challenges to connectivity,” he said.

“You all embody the vibrant spirit that is the heart of the internet. You will be digital ambassadors in bringing more connectivity to this great country and the region.”

Markey has introduced proposed legislation in the US Congress entitled: “Driving Innovation and Growth in Internet Technology And Launching Universal Access to the Global Economy (DIGITAL AGE) Act,” aimed at “promoting public-private partnerships, and expanding internet access”.

Markey said with the right policy tools, Nigeria could get half a billion dollars in internet-driven investments.

Before becoming a senator, Markey had spent 37 years in the US house of representatives, and pushed the ICT bill of 1996, to revolutionise internet use in the US.