DPI Framework Will Promote Transparency, Innovation In Digital Economy – NITDA Director

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) said the adoption of the Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) framework is critical to promoting inclusion, transparency, and innovation in the country’s digital economy.
The Director of E-Government and Digital Economy at NITDA, Dr Salisu Kaka, said this in an interview with NAN yesterday in Abuja.
Kaka said the framework was designed as a set of systems and solutions which enabled seamless and secure service delivery through Application Programming Interfaces (APIs).
According to him, the framework will allow platforms and applications to integrate in meaningful ways for the benefit of citizens, businesses, and government.
“DPI is about creating an ecosystem where data-driven decision-making thrives.
“It is a platform that ensures citizens can access digitally enabled services, whether in health insurance, banking, credit, payments, or conditional cash transfers.
“One of its major benefits is that it creates access to digital and innovative services on a broader scale to support society as a whole,” he said.
Kaka explained that DPIs were globally recognised as tools for governments to better serve their citizens by driving efficiency and accountability.
The director added that transparency and open data were natural outcomes of the DPI framework.
“DPI, by its nature, requires openness. Most non-sensitive data in the framework is open by default, meaning it can be audited and used for research, innovation, and national planning.
“This helps strengthen accountability, reinforce public trust, and give innovators and corporations access to build better products,” he said.
He also said that DPIs created a level playing field for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to innovate, scale, and contribute to the economy.
Kaka noted that businesses could leverage open data and payment systems to expand services, reach customers, and measure collective impact in real time.
“DPIs make it easier for SMEs to access credit or incentives, partner with other companies, and grow quickly in the market.
“They bring businesses closer to consumers and enable them to scale sustainably,” he said.
The director further highlighted the role of the framework in promoting inclusion and social protection programs.
He said DPIs provided a trusted platform for governments to reach unserved and underserved citizens with services, transfers, and benefits in line with existing laws.
“DPI supports social protection by giving government the tools to reach the vulnerable population more efficiently and transparently,” he said.
Kaka assured that NITDA, under its mandate, was working with stakeholders to ensure the effective deployment of DPIs to support Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.
The agency recently had a public review of the DPI draft, which involved the Nigerian Governors Forum and other stakeholders across sectors of the country.