Laws of everything and the digital economy (2)

Continued from yesterday
Global context benchmarks: In a recent study by Mckinsey of 14 countries in Africa representing 90 per cent of Africa’s GDP, the digital economy of Africa will by 2025 attract about $300 billion.

Kenya is on the verge of becoming a major software hub. It produces on average five software applications a day pioneered by its young ‘softwarepreneurs.’

Broadband in South Korea has been elevated to the level of a human right; it is required by law to review its Broadband strategy every five years and its implementation plans yearly.

Singapore was a poor country in 1965 but due to efforts of the visionary leadership of Lee Kuan Yew, it was transformed into a first world nation. Singapore was the first country in the world to have a complete nationwide broadband network with three fiber cables linking it to Japan, UAE, Europe and Africa.

In 2001 when Nigeria started its GSM revolution Singapore already had 99 per cent of its homes, businesses and government connected to high-speed broadband Internet.

Infrastructure takes time to build. GLO 1, MAINONE and others have taken the lead for transAtlantic undersea cabling. The market still needs last mile investors to take FTT-Home, FTT-Businesses and FTT-government institutions. Universal access to Broadband is not possible without universal electricity access.

Hopefully, the privatisation and reform efforts in the power sector will usher in the LIGHT needed to energise all industries, we can then have education beyond the classroom, telemedicine-health beyond the clinic, business beyond the headquarters, banking beyond the teller, entertainment beyond the TV and government services beyond Aso Rock. • Concluded. • Onikosi is a partner, AOCSOLICITORZ Business/ICT Lawyers & Regulatory Consultants, Suite 12, Block 11, Sura Business Place, Ikoyi, Lagos. Tel: 234-08037860869 EMAIL: aocsolicitors@yahoo.com