Over a meeting that took place recently, the government of Nigeria, one of the globe’s most inquisitive nations about cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin (BTC), approved a national blockchain policy. The national blockchain policy approval came in accordance with a memo sent by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim.
The Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy (FMCDE) cited a PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) report in the announcement, predicting that widespread utilization of blockchain technology across different sectors could possibly add $1.76 trillion to the world’s gross domestic product (GDP) by 2030, representing 1.4%.
The FMCDE developed the national blockchain policy through stakeholder consultations in both the public and private sectors.
The procedure was created on behalf of the Nigerian federal government, in accordance with the seventh pillar of the national digital economy policy and plans, concentrating on digital society and the latest technological developments.
In an October 2020 draft of the blockchain adoption plans, it was noted that blockchain and decentralized ledger technology would “facilitate the development of the Nigerian digital economy.”
Benefits of the blockchain policy
Adopting a national blockchain policy in Nigeria is an important step toward the country’s digital transformation and economic development. Here are some of the potential benefits of the policy:
Transparency and accountability are improved because blockchain technology provides a transparent and immutable record of transactions. Nigeria can increase transparency and accountability, reduce corruption, and improve trust in institutions by implementing blockchain in various sectors such as finance, healthcare, and government.
Increased efficiency: Blockchain can streamline processes and eliminate intermediaries, saving time and money on various operations. Blockchain-based payment systems, for example, can enable quick, secure, and low-cost transactions that benefit both businesses and individuals.
Greater financial inclusion: Nigeria has a large unbanked population, which blockchain-based financial services can help reach by providing low-cost, accessible, and secure financial services. This can contribute to financial inclusion, entrepreneurship, and economic growth.
Job creation: The implementation of blockchain technology in Nigeria has the potential to create new job opportunities, particularly in technological fields. This may also aid in the reduction of unemployment, which is a major problem in the country.
Improved international trade: Blockchain technology has the potential to simplify cross-border transactions while also increasing the efficiency and security of international trade. This can assist Nigerian businesses in expanding their markets and increasing revenue.
Potential challenges of the policy
Nigeria has taken a giant step in implementing a National Blockchain Policy with the potential of driving economic growth, improving transparency and accountability, promoting financial inclusion, creating jobs, and boosting international trade. However, despite its potential, Nigeria still faces significant challenges that may hinder its ability to fully utilize the National Blockchain Policy. The major threats are as follows;
A major challenge is the inadequate infrastructure such as internet connectivity. an important factor for the effective deployment of blockchain solutions.
Another challenge is the limited awareness of blockchain technology among the large Nigerian populace and some sections of policymakers, this may slow down its adoption.
In conclusion, there is a need to address the issue of trust and security, as blockchain-based solutions are only effective if they are secure and reliable, and users can trust them to protect their data and transactions.For Nigeria to fully utilize the benefits of the policy, it requires the collective effort of stakeholders to address the challenges that may arise and ensure that the policy is effectively implemented. With the right approach, Nigeria can leverage blockchain technology to drive economic growth, improve governance, and provide better services to its citizens.