The Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, has underscored the critical role women play in the tech industry and the need to further support female entrepreneurs in Nigeria’s digital economy. Inuwa’s message was delivered during the 2024 Women Entrepreneurs and Executives in Tech Summit (WEETS) in Lagos, which focused on “AI Leadership: Navigating The Future of Women in Business.”
In a goodwill message, presented by NITDA’s Head of Innovation and Digital Inclusion, Engr. Falilat Jimoh, Inuwa highlighted statistics that demonstrate the rising number of female entrepreneurs in Nigeria. He cited reports showing that 52.2% of young female entrepreneurs hold at least a bachelor’s degree, compared to 42.8% of their male counterparts. This growing trend of women-led businesses, Inuwa emphasized, must be sustained to drive innovation, job creation, poverty reduction, and human development.
According to the 2023 State of Entrepreneurship in Nigeria report, 46% of startups in Nigeria are female-led, up from 39% in 2022. Inuwa stressed that women, alongside youths, are cornerstones of the economy and must be empowered to continue driving progress in the tech sector.
“NITDA recognizes the importance of innovation and how crucial it is to empower women in business with the necessary skills,” he said. “Our Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan for 2024-2027 (SRAP 2.0) dedicates a pillar to promoting inclusive access to digital infrastructure and services, with a focus on 40% women participation in all our capacity and skills development initiatives.”
Inuwa reiterated NITDA’s commitment to fostering a more digitally enabled economy and acknowledged the vital role of women in advancing Nigeria’s tech landscape. He pointed to initiatives like the “Digital Literacy for All” (DL4All) program, which aims to equip women with digital skills, ensuring their continued contribution to the tech ecosystem.
Referencing the 2023 Global Gender Gap Report, Inuwa noted that women currently make up 30% of the global AI workforce and 39% of the overall Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) workforce. He stressed the importance of empowering women with relevant digital skills to help them impact their communities and capitalize on opportunities in AI and other emerging technologies.
“AI is being integrated into products and services across every sector of the economy,” Inuwa said, adding that Forbes projects the AI market could reach $407 billion by 2027 and up to $13 trillion by 2030. He emphasized that NITDA is poised to leverage this growth by engaging diverse sectors and promoting entrepreneurship among women.
In her welcome address, the Convener of WEETS, Ms. Ugochi Emmanuel, reaffirmed the summit’s mission to empower women and girls. “As we continue with today’s discussions, I encourage you to think big, challenge the status quo, and build lasting partnerships that will accelerate the impact of women in the tech space,” she said.
WEETS 2024 serves as a platform to bridge the digital divide and explore opportunities for women and girls in the tech industry, positioning them to play a more prominent role in Nigeria’s digital transformation.
