By Dr Friday Moses Onuobia
September 2000, leaders of 189 countries gathered at the United Nations headquarters.
Goal 1 – Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
It is a great honor to once again talk on this noble topic for all our youth and everyone present. Digitalization is transforming our world, offering unprecedented opportunities to accelerate sustainable development. Digital technologies such as mobile devices, services, and artificial intelligence are instrumental in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Young people are leading the charge in digital adoption and innovation, with three-quarters of those aged 15 to 24 using the internet in 2022, a rate higher than other age groups.
However, disparities persist, particularly in low-income countries and among young women, who often have less access to the internet and digital skills compared to their male counterparts. While there is an urgent need to enhance digital inclusion, youth are largely recognized as “digital natives,” using technology to drive change and create solutions. As the 2030 deadline for the SDGs approaches, the role of young people in digital innovation is essential for addressing global issues.
With the over 1.2 billion youth and their role in advancing global development recognises that without youth-led innovative solutions, the efforts to meet global goals for peaceful, fair, and inclusive societies will yield little gains.
At the global level, digital innovations have reshaped every facet of corporate and public life, bringing with it new opportunities for communities and livelihoods.
Across countries, the level of digital access and utilisation among their youth, the digital natives, could influence their development.
In Nigeria, the number of internet users aged 15+ has risen over the past 25 years. Yet, only 36% of those within this age group had access to the internet as of 2022.
Internet usage is often linked to a country’s level of development because of its ability to drive novel and innovative solutions to global challenges and boost growth through exposure to digital technologies and information.
Globally, a major digital infrastructure challenge is internet connectivity. About 2.6 billion people, or 33% of the world’s population, are unconnected to the internet as of 2023.
In the same period, 93% of people in high-income countries had internet access, compared to just 27% in low-income countries, a slight increase from 24% in 2022. This gap in digital penetration highlights the significant digital divide between high-income and low-income countries and regions.
Yet there are disparities in digital adoption rates between youths in advanced economies and those in developing countries.
Digital innovation is the application and adoption of digital technologies in a strategic manner to improve business operations, create novel products or services, enhance customer interactions, and meet evolving market demands.
It’s essentially a systemic overhaul that disrupts traditional methods and fosters competitive differentiation. Ideas such as digital transformation and digitization are closely related to the concept of digital innovation.
Digital innovation is facilitated by advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), big data analytics, and cloud computing. It uses these technological resources to discover new opportunities and fuel growth for businesses or organizations, focusing on making the most of the tools and systems already in place.
Why Digital Innovation?
Digital innovation has emerged as a crucial element in the contemporary business environment, owing to several compelling reasons:
Competitive Differentiation: Digital innovation serves as a conduit for businesses to establish a robust competitive advantage. Through the strategic deployment of novel technologies, organizations can introduce distinctive products and services that set them apart from the competition, thereby securing a formidable market position.
Organizational Effectiveness: One of the substantial benefits of digital innovation is the enhancement of organizational effectiveness. Organizations can dramatically reduce the time and resources typically required by replacing traditional processes with automated workflows and digital tools, thereby increasing productivity.
Advanced Customer Engagement: Digital innovation plays a pivotal role in enriching the customer experience. Sophisticated tools such as AI-driven chatbots, customized marketing initiatives, and intuitive mobile applications facilitate more interactive and personalized customer engagements. This not only improves customer satisfaction but also promotes loyalty.
Data-Driven Strategic Planning: The advent of digital innovation introduces businesses to the power of data analytics. By harnessing this capability, organizations can make strategic decisions based on real-time, data-driven insights, enhancing business performance and forecasting accuracy.
Innovation
Culture: Digital innovation fosters a culture of continuous improvement and innovation within the organization. It encourages employees to think outside the box, experiment with new ideas, and embrace change, thereby driving innovation at all levels of the organization.
Business Model Transformation: Companies can revolutionize and reshape their business structures through digital innovation. Utilizing digital technologies allows for the creation of fresh revenue avenues, enhancement of service provision, and redefinition of their unique selling proposition.
Who is digital innovation for?
Digital innovation is not confined to any particular group; it’s relevant and beneficial for everyone, from individuals to businesses and even governments
For Individuals:
Digital innovation has the power to simplify daily tasks. From online banking to grocery shopping, digital tools have made life more convenient. Furthermore, communication has been enhanced with the advent of social media platforms and instant messaging apps, making it easier than ever to stay connected with friends and family.
Personal growth is also facilitated through digital innovation. Online learning platforms offer a plethora of courses and resources, allowing individuals to acquire new skills or knowledge from the comfort of their homes.
For Businesses:
Businesses of all sizes and across all sectors can harness digital innovation to boost operational efficiency. Digital tools can automate repetitive tasks, streamline workflows, and improve data management, thereby increasing productivity and reducing costs.
Innovation in digital technology also allows businesses to develop new products or services. For example, AI and machine learning can be used to analyze customer behavior and predict market trends, helping companies to stay ahead of the competition.
For Governments:
Government entities can significantly benefit from digital innovation by improving public service delivery. Digital platforms can make processes like tax filing, license renewals, and applications for public services faster and more efficient.
Digital innovation also facilitates effective citizen engagement. Social media platforms, mobile apps, and websites allow governments to communicate important information, gather citizen feedback, and foster transparency.
For the Education Sector:
Digital innovation has revolutionized education by making learning more accessible. Online classes, digital textbooks, and educational apps have broken down geographical barriers, allowing anyone with internet access to pursue learning opportunities.
It also promotes inclusivity by providing personalized learning experiences to cater to different learning styles and needs. Assistive technologies enable learners with disabilities to participate in educational activities, leveling the playing field for all students.
Several dimensions of digitalization:
Web development
Programming
Software development
Computer engineering
Mobile application
Solution provider
Social media marketing
Email applications
Video and writing
Content provision
Designs and editing
Communication
Artificial intelligence
Cloud computing
This topic, “From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development,” calls to mind, the accelerating and transformative power of digitalization towards achieving the objectives of the AU’s Agenda 2063. It highlights the crucial role that young people play in this digital revolution and further reinforces the many opportunities available for young people in the digital ecosystem.
We need to be intentional about investing in technology
to drive innovation,
foster connectivity, and
lead solutions towards a sustainable future.
The world recognizes the immense potential of our youth and the pivotal role they play in the world’s development.
These initiatives, and many more, not only empower young people to take ownership of their development but also create opportunities for intergenerational collaboration and dialogue, which are essential for building a more inclusive and sustainable future for all of us.
I encourage everyone to take part in conversations taking place around you and online on the theme and shedding light on innovative ways to support young people driving change in the digital sector.
Let us also reflect on other emerging challenges that confront young people,
quality home training
including access to quality education,
healthcare, and
job opportunities.
We must collectively work to address these issues, ensuring that no young person is left behind. We must provide young people with the necessary tools, resources, and support to empower them to overcome these challenges and achieve their full potential.
As I conclude, let us remember that the future is not predetermined; it is ours to shape and define. We must own our growth and development by leveraging on these opportunities to make our voices heard, working together in solidarity to build the society. To the young people here today and all over the world, I want to say this: own your growth and take advantage of the numerous opportunities that you can see around you especially that abound in the digital space. You are the beacon of hope for our continent.
Your creativity, resilience, and determination are the glimmers of a brighter future for Africa. Embrace the digital age with nerves of steel and use it as a platform to amplify your voices, share ideas, and make a lasting impact.
Thank you