The Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Inuwa Kashifu Abdullahi, has expressed confidence in Nigeria’s potential to become the leading digital technology hub in Africa.
With its youthful and tech-savvy population, along with favorable legislation and policies, Nigeria is well-positioned to drive the growth of the tech ecosystem in the continent.
“Nigeria’s tech prowess ignites a flame of innovation that illuminates Africa’s path towards a prosperous digital future, fostering job creation and driving economic growth across the continent. Leveraging Nigeria’s youthful and tech-savvy population, favorable legislations, and policies, the country is well positioned to become Africa’s leading digital technology hub” – He said.
This statement was made during the launch of Global Tech Africa (GTA), an initiative by the Future Map Foundation, implemented in collaboration with Ascend Studios Foundation, NITDA, and the U.S. Consulate General, Lagos.
The GTA Conference aims to unite African and international tech stakeholders, unlocking growth opportunities and nurturing the tech ecosystem in Africa. Distinguished partners, including Business Sweden, Venture Garden Group, RivExcel Health, and renowned Tech Giants worldwide, are also supporting the initiative.
Africa is poised to play a vital role in the global tech ecosystem, offering innovation, talent, and new market prospects in mobile technology, e-commerce, fintech, ag-tech, and the digital economy. Emphasizing the impact of GTA in Africa, NITDA’s Director General, Inuwa Kashifu Abdullahi, underscores Nigeria’s tech prowess, igniting innovation that illuminates Africa’s path to a prosperous digital future, fostering job creation and driving economic growth across the continent.
The United States has played a key role in creating an enabling environment for Nigeria’s tech ecosystem. The U.S. Mission Nigeria remains committed to promoting partnerships that advance Nigeria’s tech and startup scene, catalyzing technological progress and reinforcing a robust U.S.-Nigeria trade and investment relationship. Nigeria’s rapid recognition as a hub for tech talent and innovation has led global tech companies to acknowledge its potential, and the U.S. Mission is eager to collaborate with both U.S. and Nigerian tech companies to harness this immense opportunity, according to U.S. Consul General Will Stevens.
The GTA Summit, slated for the 25th of July 2023 in Lagos, will bring together 300 tech stakeholders from the private, public, and development sectors. Following the summit, the GTA Conference will take place in Lagos, Nigeria, from the 17th to the 20th of November 2023.
Speaking about the prospects GTA offers to participants, Dr. Inya Lawal, President of Ascend Studios Foundation, and Abdulsalam Umar, COO of Future Map, assert that GTA will garner support from private, public, and development sectors to explore tech infrastructure and investment opportunities, support startups, and promote grants/seed investments. Additionally, GTA will encourage increased participation and growth of Women and Girls in the Tech Ecosystem.
The GTA conference aims to provide a platform for stakeholders, including investors, regulators, consumers, academia, and the general public, to engage in discussions and explore opportunities for collaboration, shaping the future of Africa’s tech landscape. The conference will feature plenary sessions, breakout sessions, pitch competitions, exhibitions, sideline networking, and cocktail sessions.
The summit and conference will also highlight the opportunities presented by the Nigerian Start-Up ACT, offering a meeting forum for investors, regulators, and entrepreneurs to explore investment and global partnership prospects.
GTA will serve as a platform for consumers, enthusiasts, and the general public to engage with technology experts and practitioners, showcasing the latest technology trends in Africa and providing insights into future innovations.
