Document :

ITU-D SG01 RAPPORTEUR GROUP MEETING  Contribution  58

Title :

Economic contribution of digital telecommunications and ICTs to the national economy and GDP: Nigeria case study

Date :

2026-08-31

Source :

Nigeria

AI/Question :

Q4/1

Meeting :

2026-09-28

Access :

Restricted to TIES users [ITU-D]

Abstract :

This contribution uses Nigeria as a case study to examine the economic impact of digital telecommunications and ICTs on national economic growth and GDP. The study analyzes quarterly data spanning Q1 2020 to Q4 2025, comprising 24 observations, and provides a quantitative assessment of the telecommunications sector's contribution to Nigeria's GDP. It also highlights the broader role of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy (FMCIDE) in advancing nationwide digital connectivity initiatives, whose effects extend across multiple sectors of the economy and contribute significantly to overall economic development.
Higher telecommunications sector contribution was strongly associated with higher levels of economic output during the period under review. However, this relationship does not demonstrate causation, as both variables may be affected by broader macroeconomic factors and changes in GDP measurement. Additionally, telecommunications contribution peaked at 16.06% in Q2 2023. Under the GDP rebasing introduced in 2025, which applies to the quarterly series from Q1 2024, the sector's contribution ranged from 7.5% to 9.2% through 2025. This change largely reflects the revised GDP measurement framework rather than a corresponding reduction in telecommunications output at constant basic prices.