>
A three-day round table on digital economy kicked off in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital on Tuesday, with digital contents protection; start-ups capacity development and research-based policy input generation dominating discussions.
The round table tagged “2017 Africa Academic Network on Internet Policy”, is part of a conference being organised by the Ibadan School of Government and Public Policy (ISGPP) in conjunction with Google in Africa.
Academics in relevant disciplines are participating in various technical groups at the conference holding at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan.
The theme of the conference is “Strengthening Internet Policy through Theoretically Grounded Research”.
Academics in relevant disciplines are participating in various technical groups at the conference holding at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan.
The Lead, Public Policy and Public Affairs of Google, Titi Akinsanmi Bolarinwa, speaking at the opening sessions on Monday, explained that Google was supporting the event as part of its initiatives in boosting the participation of Africans in digital economy.
She stressed the need for African countries to propagate policies that will help protect digital contents by Africans and enhance capacity building among young people interested in start-ups.
According to her, the round table will, among other issues, look at patent, copyright of intellectual property and capacity building.
She said ISGPP was chosen for the partnership because of its research base approach to policy issues.
Other issues that some of the sessions will address include:
- The state of internet policy innovation in Africa
- Economic diversification through innovation and start-ups
- Inclusiveness in internet access and content protection
- Internet security
- Policy and strategy action points.
Speaking earlier, the Executive Vice Chairman of the institution, Dr Tunji Olaopa, said it was disheartening that most of the 93 million internet users in Nigeria were just consumers.
He stressed that “there is need for policy to convert that advantage as a significant contribution to drive the economy. That is a research problem. Research will provide the design that will bring solution to help Nigeria and Africa maximize the digital economic opportunities.”
He promised that ISGPP would leverage on its knowledge and expertise to push for the right policy for the digital economy.