NITDA is fostering better collaboration with startups in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in Nigeria to promote its local content agenda. The presentation administration has placed its focus on Technology Eco-system improvement and is implementing a strategic initiative between 2021 and 2024. This is in a bid to create more opportunities for the development of home-grown solutions to meet the country’’s needs. There is no gainsaying that technological advancement can create great wealth for the nation.
NITDA’s Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa spoke at the Nigeria maiden edition of the Innovation Ecosystem Engagement, held virtually on 27th January 2022, and said that as a nation, cannot be globally unparalleled if we do not build locally. He emphasised that it is essential to partner with local startups.
The DG, who expressed his enthusiasm about the event, said that this innovation is channelled towards engaging with startup ecosystem participants and solution providers on how NITDA can collaborate with them to meet up with the challenges being faced by the Tech ecosystem. He stated that he understands how challenging the ecosystem is for start-ups and has taken it upon himself to utilize every resource and opportunity at his disposal to make the Tech community more viable.
The NITDA boss said he is proud of the achievements by the local start-ups in building the most appealing investment ecosystem in Africa, attracting over $1.5 Billion in 2021 despite the attendant challenges. He urged the participants to take their achievements to a global level.
The DG disclosed that the Agency is currently partnering with the active start-ups to rebrand the Tech ecosystem. He affirmed that the government and the start-ups need one another and that they can and together they can redefine, create and shape the nation’s future.