Some information technology experts on Friday said there was the need to apply digital technology and techniques in traditional industries for them to thrive in post COVID-19.

The experts made the assertion at the first Virtual NerdsUnite conference organised by MainOne.

MainOne is a provider of innovative telecom services and network solutions for businesses in West Africa.

The conference had the theme: ”Digital Disruption for Sustainability and Growth”.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MainOne, Ms Funke Opeke, said that the world had been digitally disrupted, resulting in acceleration of value creation by companies operating in the digital world.

She said that digitally-enabled companies had outperformed in all categories through the pandemic because of their ability to leverage on digital technologies.

“We see in our world that digitisation is real and companies that have embraced this new reality as a means of doing business are simply doing better.

“Digital solutions are enabling such disruptors gain improved operational efficiencies and maintain their competitive edge as they connect with customers and grow market share online.

“Companies in traditional industries are also finding that process automation, remote testing, access to real-time data and decision support, among many digital techniques, are proving critical to their ability to stay afloat in dynamically-changing markets,’’ she said.

She said that although Africa was spared the worst of the pandemic with the lowest infection rates and deaths, the impact of the pandemic on lives and livelihoods was, however, significant.

Opeke said that the impact required closure of the gap with the rest of the world in digital transformation, to stay competitive.

According to her, acceleration in digital technologies has induced the need for increased internet capacity which MainOne has provided through a data center growing under its MDXi brand.

The Founder of Interswitch Ltd., Mr Mitchelle Elegbe, said that the fintech space had witnessed an overall positive growth.

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Elegbe said the agency witnessed about 200 per cent growth amidst COVID-19, adding that more small and medium enterprises were going online.

The Chief Investment Officer of GreenTec Capital Partners, Mr Tomi Davies, said there was the need to build better citizens and invest in people who would deliver by enhancing technology from early learning.

The Chief Digital Transformation Officer of MTN Nigeria, Mr Bayo Adekambi, said there was the need for everyone to embrace digitisation.

Adekambi said that many industries had to diversify during COVID-19 to be able to make ends meet.

NerdsUnite is an annual event which brings together the thinktank of the information and technology industry.