The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), is set to significantly boost local businesses and drive tourism by hosting the inaugural Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (GITEX) Nigeria. This landmark event, in partnership with KAOUN International, aims to position Nigeria as a leading global technology hub, leveraging digital innovation for national development.
The announcement was made during the inauguration of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) in Abuja, comprising key public and private sector stakeholders. This collaborative effort underscores the government’s commitment to delivering a world-class tech conference that will showcase Nigeria’s burgeoning digital ecosystem.
Themed “Forging the Rise of Digital Nigeria,” GITEX Nigeria is expected to attract over 20,000 participants, including 1,000 startups and 100 investors, to events held in both Abuja and Lagos. This strategic dual-city approach will maximize the event’s impact, leveraging Abuja’s governmental influence and Lagos’s commercial dynamism.
In Abuja, the event will feature a Government Leadership and AI Summit, uniting government leaders and global tech executives to drive national projects, including digital infrastructure expansion, AI adoption, and public sector innovation. In Lagos, the focus will be on spotlighting Nigeria’s vibrant tech ecosystem, promoting startups, attracting investment, and fostering multi-sector economic diversification to a global audience.
Representing NITDA’s Director General, Mr. Olawumi Oladejo, Director of the ITIS department, emphasized the event’s potential to elevate Nigeria’s international profile, boost local businesses, and drive tourism.
“We all know the positive impact that hosting this kind of event will bring to the country. It will boost our international standing and scale our local businesses and tourism,” he stated, highlighting the event’s alignment with NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2024–2027) and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 8-point agenda.
The Director General also noted that GITEX Nigeria marks the event’s first foray into West Africa, building on its success in North Africa, specifically Morocco. He assured stakeholders of presidential backing, asserting that a successful hosting will position Nigeria as a regional leader in digital transformation.
Dr. Aristotle Onumo, Director of the Stakeholder Management and Partnerships department, outlined the event’s vision to elevate six local startups to global standards within three years. He detailed the event’s three pillars—enablement, engagement, and knowledge—aimed at fostering growth in sectors such as Telecom, Fintech, Agritech, Edtech, e-Commerce, Healthtech, and data centers.
Furthermore, Dr. Onumo highlighted the significant investment opportunities GITEX Nigeria presents, noting that “78% of startups are expecting to receive funds from investors as a result of their participation.” This influx of investment is expected to catalyze the growth of Nigeria’s tech ecosystem, driving economic diversification and creating new opportunities for local businesses.
By strategically leveraging GITEX Nigeria, the government aims to not only showcase the nation’s technological prowess but also to stimulate economic growth through increased tourism and investment in local businesses.