The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has taken a major step toward boosting Nigeria’s digital economy by inaugurating a Technical Working Group (TWG). This initiative is designed to strengthen cross-agency collaboration and establish a coordinated, multi-sector regulatory sandbox framework that fosters responsible innovation.
Speaking at the inauguration, NITDA Director General Kashifu Inuwa—represented by the Acting Director of Regulation and Compliance, Barrister Emmanuel Edet—highlighted that traditional, isolated regulatory models are no longer sufficient for today’s fast-paced tech landscape.
“As government institutions, our core responsibility is to provide solutions to the challenges faced by Nigerians,” Inuwa stated. “Regulators often operate in silos while implementing their mandates, and in today’s digital environment, that model presents significant limitations.”
Inuwa emphasized that the rapid expansion of the digital economy frequently outpaces conventional regulations. This gap can inadvertently delay or block the deployment of solutions crucial for national development. The new TWG consists of strategically selected members capable of creating practical, modern solutions to bridge these gaps without overriding any agency’s statutory powers.
To create a more agile environment, NITDA is championing the use of regulatory sandboxes—controlled spaces where tech innovators can test emerging technologies under the direct guidance of relevant authorities.
Key benefits of this approach include safe experimentation, which allows innovators to test and scale products securely under a “learn by doing” principle. Additionally, it enables adaptive oversight, allowing regulators to co-create flexible policies based on real-time data and evidence. Ultimately, these smoother regulatory paths boost global competitiveness, ensuring Nigeria remains a dominant player in the global digital economy.
Providing an overview of the initiative, Victoria Fabunmi, National Coordinator of the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI), explained that the National Regulatory Sandbox goes beyond standard financial tech (fintech) models.
Fabunmi noted that despite massive growth in fields like Artificial Intelligence and blockchain, startups have long been hindered by fragmented compliance processes. This new governance and legal framework aims to eliminate those bottlenecks.
The inauguration of the TWG underscores NITDA’s evolving role as an ecosystem orchestrator, steering Nigeria toward its broader ambition of becoming Africa’s leading digital economy.