Fintech operators seek role in Lagos digital agenda

Lagos State is set to hold discussions with financial technology operators on taxation, digital infrastructure and innovation as industry players seek a role in shaping the state’s digital economy agenda for 2027 to 2031, according to a statement sighted by The PUNCH on Monday.

The discussions will take place at a fintech town hall convened by My Card Global in collaboration with the Fintech Association of Nigeria (FintechNGR) on November 20 at The George Hotel, Ikoyi, bringing together senior government officials, technology entrepreneurs, investors and industry executives.

The meeting, themed “The Lagos Digital Economy Blueprint: Co-Authoring the Lagos Digital Economy Agenda 2027–2031”, is expected to examine the policy and economic conditions required to support the growth of digital businesses in Lagos and how government and industry can work together to develop the state’s priorities for the next five years.

Among the government officials expected at the meeting are the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani; Lagos State Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat; and the Chairman of the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service, Ayodele Subair.

Their expected participation places taxation, the state’s digital infrastructure and the relationship between government regulation and private-sector innovation among the central issues for discussion.

Also expected is Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, co-founder of Andela, alongside founders, chief executives and other professionals in the fintech industry.

FintechNGR is a self-regulatory, not-for-profit and non-political industry association established to promote the development of Nigeria’s financial technology sector and provide a platform for engagement and exchange among industry stakeholders.

The association, which is a member of the Global Fintech Hubs Federation, has engaged regulators, including the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Securities and Exchange Commission and the National Insurance Commission, as well as governments at different levels, on policies affecting the fintech ecosystem.

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The organisers said the town hall was designed to bring policymakers and businesses into direct conversation over the direction of Lagos’ digital economy, with particular emphasis on developing practical policy proposals rather than limiting the engagement to general discussions about technology and innovation.

The proposed agenda will cover taxation, digital infrastructure, innovation and long-term economic growth.

For Lagos, the discussions will touch on issues affecting the operating environment for technology businesses, including how tax policies are designed and administered, the availability of infrastructure to support digital services and the extent to which government policy encourages or constrains innovation.

My Card Global and FintechNGR said the engagement would allow operators in the financial technology sector to contribute their experience and expertise to policy development, while allowing government representatives to engage directly with businesses affected by regulatory and economic decisions.

They said the objective was to develop a sustainable and inclusive digital economy agenda through collaboration between the public and private sectors.

The town hall is expected to produce policy recommendations for consideration in shaping Lagos State’s digital economy priorities for 2027 to 2031.