With enthusiasm and foresight, the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, has launched an inspiring call for international investors to delve into Nigeria’s growing digital sector. He portrays this nation as a promising frontier brimming with opportunities, driven by its young, technologically adept, and exceptionally inventive populace.
The DG disclosed this information when interacting with major international stakeholders in the IT industry, encompassing both emerging startups and financial backers, at a GITEX Breakfast event taking place at theGITEX Africa 2025 currently underway in Marrakesh, Morocco.
Ahead of GITEX Nigeria 2025, an important technology and investment expo scheduled for September 1-4 in Abuja and Lagos, Inuwa vividly depicted Nigeria’s digital ecosystem. He emphasized how innovation converges with opportunities here, highlighting the alignment between governmental support and local entrepreneurial spirit.
“Nigeria boasts a substantial, young, inventive, and exceptionally skilled labor force, offering continuous opportunities for start-ups and growing businesses. The nation’s economic terrain is largely defined by an enterprising mindset and advancements in technology,” he asserted.
He emphasised that Nigeria, with over 70% of its population under the age of 25, holds one of the youngest populations globally, positioning it as a talent hub for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
The head of NITDA also mentioned that the government’s objective is to transform Nigeria into a prominent player in the global digital economy via extensive restructuring, investments in infrastructure, and a robust program for increasing digital literacy.
“The president is strongly committed to developing our digital infrastructure and aims to assert our digital sovereignty, offering a platform for our citizens to create digital products that Nigeria can present globally,” he stated.
As he outlined strategies for integrating digital competencies into the standard educational framework and boosting overall national tech proficiency, he emphasized that the country isn’t merely instructing youth on how to use technological tools; instead, it’s equipping them with the ability to develop those technologies themselves.
In line with the significance of digital sovereignty, Inuwa stated, “We are advocating for increased cloud usage since achieving success nowadays is not possible with solely on-premises infrastructure; instead, one must embrace the cloud and attain flexibility.”
Underscoring the significance of Nigeria and Africa’s digital native population and boundless talent, Inuwa mentioned that the continent should not just participate in the Fourth Industrial Revolution but should lead.
He disclosed that the GITEX Nigeria conference is set to be a milestone moment with Abuja which is the nation’s policy capital, hosting discussions on investor-friendly reforms and policy frameworks, and Lagos, the home to Africa’s most vibrant startup ecosystem, showcasing the energy, innovation, and investment potentials.
We possess the talent and a digitally savvy populace, and we’re fostering an environment that encourages innovation and entrepreneurship because challenging the established norms is essential,” he stated. “We must leverage technology to revolutionize our processes and cultivate collective intelligence, enabling individuals to collaborate with tech for improving quality of life. That’s the vision of Nigeria we’re building.
During his statement, the sales director of ZOHO, Mr Vijayaragavan Venugopal, mentioned that the company has concentrated primarily on the African market over the past seven years and has seen remarkable expansion within this region, with Nigeria being at the vanguard.
“We are delighted to be participating in Nigeria alongside GITEX, which will not just strengthen the Nigerian market but also benefit the broader African continent. This gathering presents a chance for us all to come together, discuss technology, and collectively expand within the African marketplace,” he stated.
During her speech, Olu Olufemi White, who leads Alami Capital as its CEO, emphasized the significance of backing startups that prioritize individuals in their solutions and called into question conventional investment methods that overlook the human aspect.
Highlighting her dedication to reshaping communities via careful and planned innovation, she underscored the importance of initiatives that are both transformative and capable of widespread implementation. Nonetheless, she pointed out that technological progress depends on consistent energy sources and eco-friendly financial solutions.
White appealed to all for active involvement at the upcoming GITEX Nigeria, citing activities from major players like Google, Cisco, and Flutterwave. He stated, “You will witness what occurs as you join forces with us. Don’t wait until we achieve significant growth; let’s narrate our story together. We aim to collaborate closely with you to construct the dream nation we envision.”
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc.
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