Leading technology firm, Microsoft Incorporated is exploring various avenues to intensify digital transformation in different sectors of the Nigerian economy.
This time, it is not just the financial sector, the tech giant will target the agricultural sector, and the judiciary, especially legal practitioners who are perceived to be analog despite the inevitable digital era.
“Digital transformation is a phenomenon that has been ongoing, at the same time accelerating. It is not just for the banking sector and the agricultural sector, the lawyers also need to start feeling in a higher dimension the impact,” Akin Banuso, the new Country Manager for Microsoft said in a press conference.
He emphasized the need for lawyers to be trained in such a way that issues concerning missing of files would be a problem of the past.
“The whole idea is to ensure efficiency and effectiveness in the legal system and the way to go about this to use a legal email system that is secured.”
“For instance, we have could build a Blockchain technology to ensure safety and integrity of files submitted by lawyers,” he added.
Microsoft is also revolutionizing the agricultural sector in India using big data and Artificial Intelligence to figure out the best period of planting seeds.
“We are working with local farmers in India using meteorological data to tell them the best time to plant their seeds and that move increased yield by 31 percent.
However, Microsoft will replicate that in Nigeria and we are already in talks with Lagos State government to make this happen.” Akin said.
Microsoft, through its 4Afrika Initiative, has been an innovation-enabler – both in Nigeria and across the continent – since 2013, by developing affordable access to the internet, digital skills and an environment that enables start-up success.
To mark the fifth year of 4Afrika, Regional Director, Amrote Abdella shared details around the history and impact of the initiative in the region, as well as broader insights on how Nigeria is progressing in terms of its digital transformation.
“Nigeria is an important innovation hub – one which is largely influencing the digital transformation of West Africa,” says Abdella. “As technology becomes a larger part of our lives, businesses and industries, it’s essential to ensure meaningful and inclusive adoption.
This can only be achieved by ensuring that youth, entrepreneurs and governments have affordable access to the internet, relevant digital skills and opportunities for innovation. Our three-pronged approach is empowering every person and organisation to take advantage of the technological age.”
