The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is ramping up its efforts to forge impactful global partnerships to foster inclusive growth, drive innovation, and accelerate technological advancement across Nigeria.
This strategic direction was emphasized during a recent meeting at NITDA Headquarters.
While Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, participated virtually due to a scheduled meeting with Google in the United States regarding national sovereign infrastructure investments, Mr. Oladejo Olawumi, Director of the Information Technology Infrastructural Solutions Department, represented him at the meeting.
The meeting centered on discussions with Mr. Hiro Mashita, founder of SGgrow, a firm focused on identifying and supporting promising Nigerian startup investment opportunities and connecting them with global ecosystems.
Inuwa, speaking virtually, highlighted NITDA’s proactive approach to international collaboration, emphasizing the agency’s strong existing relationship with the Japanese government through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). He announced an upcoming signing ceremony for a significant innovation project in Abuja, supported by JICA, and noted ongoing partnerships with the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) to establish a dedicated fund.
“We have been collaborating with them on so many initiatives like iHatch. The pilot we did resulted in creating over 117 direct jobs and more than 370 indirect jobs, and now we are working together with them to expand it to all 36 states and the FCT,” Inuwa stated, highlighting the success of the iHatch initiative, a co-designed incubation program with JICA.
He added that NITDA and JICA are actively working to bridge the Nigerian and Japanese tech ecosystems, facilitating networking opportunities and sponsoring Nigerian startups to participate in activities in Japan.
Inuwa affirmed that SGgrow’s objectives align with NITDA’s mandate to digitally empower Nigeria through inclusive technology and innovation. He emphasized the crucial role of a robust startup ecosystem in achieving this vision.
NITDA is actively building a repository of labeled and compliant startups to enhance transparency and facilitate potential government incentives, including matching funding through collaborations. The agency is also developing an investment framework, including efforts with Google to build vital digital sovereign infrastructure.
Inuwa expressed NITDA’s interest in exploring a collaborative framework with SGgrow, potentially involving their existing partnership with JICA. “We can explore how we can work together to build a framework; maybe even to work with JICA to have strong participation from the Japanese government, startups, and other investors. For me, it is more about cooperation than competition,” he disclosed.
Mr. Mashita of SGgrow articulated his company’s mission to identify and support promising Nigerian startups, providing them with growth and exposure opportunities. He highlighted their long-term investment approach and belief in Nigeria’s potential as an economic giant, aiming to serve as a key liaison between Nigeria and Japan.
He proposed exploring potential joint projects, enhancing support for Nigerian startups, and examining the possibilities for stock exchange effects within the Nigerian startup ecosystem. He also underscored the importance of intergovernmental relationships in fostering a conducive investment environment.
This engagement underscores NITDA’s commitment to seeking and fostering international collaborations that inject expertise, investment, and opportunities into Nigeria’s burgeoning digital economy, ultimately driving inclusive growth and technological advancement for the nation