15th November, 2016
The Google Sub-Saharan Africa on Tuesday expressed its determination to educate policymakers on values associated with the enactment of friendly policies for online business activities.
Ms Bunmi Banjo, the Head, Digital Education, Google Sub-Saharan Africa, made the disclosure in Lagos.
Banjo said that educating policymakers and users on online activities was key for online businesses in the country to flourish.
“Digital business, e-commerce is not a space that policymakers understand.
“One thing Google tends to focus on is educating officials of the benefit of an open web in the country and people connecting online.
“If there is good understanding of the web, there will be better policies that will lead to better businesses.
“There is need for internet friendly policies that will actually make it easier for people to do business online and take advantage of opportunities that exist there.
“People should understand that the risks of online does not outweigh the benefits,’’ she said.
Banjo said that access to data was no longer an issue, but having people to know what was possible online; the good aspect and going online should be paramount on people’s mind.
“A lot of times, people do not end up doing the wrong things because they want it It is because they think that it is a way for them to learn a trade.
“If they are shown an alternative, there will be a shift in what obtains online.
“The more people are educated generally on the benefits of the web, the better for everyone and it will give room to tackle cyber-crime and all vices online,’’ Banjo said.