The Federal Government of Nigeria has reiterated its commitment to accelerating financial inclusion through the adoption of digital identity systems, technology-driven innovation, and enabling regulatory frameworks.
Speaking at Semafor’s Next 3 Billion Tour held in Abuja, the Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, said the government remains focused on reforms designed to integrate more Nigerians into the formal financial system under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Dr. Uzoka-Anite noted that digital identity will serve as a foundation for inclusive growth, facilitating access to banking, credit, and other essential financial services for millions of citizens currently excluded from the formal economy.
“Trusted digital identity is the backbone of inclusive finance. It enables transparency, supports innovation, and builds the confidence required for individuals and businesses to participate in the economy,” she said.
The minister further emphasized that fintech innovation and smart, adaptive regulation will play central roles in expanding access to affordable financial services, empowering micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), and driving sustainable economic development.
She added that the government is working with key stakeholders — including the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), and development partners — to streamline policies that promote interoperability, data protection, and consumer trust within Nigeria’s financial ecosystem.
According to Uzoka-Anite, the Renewed Hope Agenda prioritizes digital transformation, financial access, and entrepreneurship as critical levers for inclusive growth, especially in rural and underserved communities.
Nigeria’s financial inclusion drive has recorded progress in recent years, with millions of citizens gaining access to digital wallets, mobile banking, and electronic payment systems. However, experts note that closing the remaining inclusion gap will require coordinated efforts across identity, infrastructure, and education.
The Abuja event, part of Semafor’s Next 3 Billion Tour series, brought together policymakers, business leaders, and innovators to discuss strategies for expanding digital and financial access to the world’s next three billion connected individuals.
