The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has identified major gaps in Nigeria’s digital economy, including low online shopping adoption, limited access to digital credit, and rising concerns over financial fraud, despite increased access to financial services.
The findings are contained in the Nigeria Tech Outlook Report 2026, unveiled by NITDA Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, at the Digital Nigeria International Conference and Exhibition (DNICE) 2026 in Abuja.
The report provides a national baseline for assessing Nigeria’s digital progress, identifying investment opportunities and guiding government policies and interventions across key sectors.
According to the findings, 86.5 per cent of Nigerian adults have financial accounts, but only 12 per cent accessed digital credit in the preceding 12 months.
It also revealed that just 40.6 per cent of adults personally used smartphones, while only 6.6 per cent purchased goods online within the preceding three months.
Adoption of digital government services was similarly low, with only 17.9 per cent of respondents reporting that they had accessed government services online in the previous 12 months.
In the health sector, 75.9 per cent of adults expressed willingness to use telemedicine if available, although only 11.3 per cent said they had insurance coverage.
On digital security, 13.1 per cent of respondents reported experiencing digital financial fraud, highlighting concerns over consumer protection, cybersecurity and trust in digital financial services.
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Speaking at the unveiling, Inuwa said the report was developed to provide reliable national data that would help government, investors, researchers, innovators and development partners make informed decisions.
He explained that the assessment covered financial services, telecommunications, commerce and trade, e-government, e-health, digital access, devices, skills, trust and inclusion.
The research involved 2,147 household interviews, 539 health facility interviews, 15 key informant interviews and 10 administrative records from relevant institutions.
Inuwa said the accompanying Tech Outlook Dashboard would make the findings accessible to stakeholders, allowing them to monitor progress, access information and provide feedback.
He identified payments, connectivity, digital devices, e-commerce, logistics, e-government and digital health as key areas with significant investment opportunities.
According to him, the findings would help investors identify underserved markets and emerging opportunities, while supporting policymakers in developing targeted interventions to address gaps in the digital economy.
However, the NITDA chief stressed that challenges such as unreliable electricity, limited digital skills, affordability, poor interoperability and consumer protection must be addressed to maximise the benefits of digital investments.
He noted that expanding digital infrastructure alone would not guarantee meaningful participation unless Nigerians could afford devices, access reliable internet services and acquire the skills needed to use digital platforms productively.
The report is also expected to establish an annual process for tracking Nigeria’s digital progress, reviewing targets and adjusting policies in response to emerging developments.
Inuwa urged stakeholders to translate the findings into practical interventions that would strengthen institutions, attract investment and expand digital inclusion.
The report highlights the gap between access to financial services and actual participation in the digital economy, with low adoption of online shopping, digital credit, and e-government services pointing to significant opportunities for businesses and policymakers.
