Authors

Fasiku Ayodeji Ireti

Computer Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Ekiti State University, Ado – Ekiti, Nigeria & Ekiti State University Sustainable Development Goal 1: No Poverty & Ekiti State University Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger & Ekiti State Un

Onileowo Temitope Teniola

Entrepreneurship Department, Faculty of Management Sciences, Ekiti State University, Ado – Ekiti, Nigeria

Sarat Kehinde Akinade

INAGFA coordinator, AI researcher, 235 Covepark Green, NE, Calgary, Canada

Abstract

Poverty continues to be a persistent challenge in Nigeria despite decades of policy interventions and its abundant natural and human resources. As the nation strives toward inclusive and sustainable development, leveraging digital technologies and empowering Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) have emerged as critical pathways to poverty eradication. This paper explores digital pathways out of poverty by examining the role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and SMEs in promoting income generation, job creation, financial inclusion, and social mobility in Nigeria. The study adopts a conceptual approach, drawing on recent empirical studies, development reports, and policy frameworks to analyze how ICT-driven innovations are transforming economic opportunities across rural and urban sectors.  ICT serves as an enabler of development by enhancing access to information, education, markets, and financial services. Mobile technologies, e-commerce platforms, digital financial services, and online learning have become essential tools for bridging inequality gaps. For instance, the rapid adoption of mobile banking and digital payment systems has improved access to credit and savings for marginalized populations, empowering micro-entrepreneurs and rural women. SMEs, on the other hand, are vital engines of economic growth and employment generation. The integration of ICT into SME operations through digital marketing, e-payment systems, supply chain management, and e-governance has increased productivity, reduced transaction costs, and expanded market reach. However, the digital divide, inadequate infrastructure, poor ICT literacy, and limited access to financing remain significant barriers to maximizing these benefits. This paper argues that sustainable poverty eradication through ICT and SMEs requires coordinated policy interventions, including investments in digital infrastructure, capacity building, entrepreneurship education, and supportive regulatory frameworks. Hence, digital transformation, when properly harnessed, represents not just a technological shift but a strategic pathway out of poverty toward sustainable economic development in Nigeria.

Keywords

ICT SMEs Poverty eradication digital pathways e-commerce financial inclusion policy

Citation of this Article

Fasiku Ayodeji Ireti, Onileowo Temitope Teniola, & Sarat Kehinde Akinade. (2026). Digital Pathways Out of Poverty: The Role of ICT and SMEs in Poverty Eradication in Nigeria. Current Journal of Engineering and Science Research. 3(1), 7-15. Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.47001/CJESR/2026.301002

Licence Copyright (c) 2026 Current Journal of Engineering and Science Research. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 4.0 International Licence.

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