Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has urged tech experts and start-ups across Africa to collaborate with governments in co-creating regulations that promote human and infrastructural development, unlocking the continent’s immense potential in the technology sector.
Inuwa made this call at the 2024 Moonshot Tech Conference, held at the Eko Convention Centre in Lagos, where Africa’s brightest minds in tech gathered to exchange insights, network, and collaborate. Speaking on the panel topic, “Building Digital Economies for the World: How African Countries are Shaping their Tech Economies to Compete Globally,” Inuwa emphasized the need to strike a balance between innovation and regulation.
“Innovation thrives on creativity and ideas,” Inuwa said. “But for sustainable growth, regulation must act as a guide, ensuring stability and safeguarding interests.” He highlighted that NITDA has introduced an intelligent regulatory framework, designed to understand the emerging tech landscape before imposing regulations. This approach aims to be adaptive, giving innovators the space to create while ensuring their solutions align with broader market and ethical standards.
Inuwa stressed the vital role that public-private partnerships play in unleashing Africa’s technological potential, especially in terms of tapping into local capital. He highlighted Africa’s greatest strength—its human capital—and the opportunities it presents. Citing a World Bank report, Inuwa noted that by 2030, the global tech industry could face a shortfall of 85 million skilled professionals, which could cost $8.5 trillion in unrealized value. Africa, with its large and youthful population, is well-positioned to bridge that talent gap, transforming itself into a global hub for tech talent.
The NITDA DG also touched on Nigeria’s efforts to create a more favorable environment for tech innovation. He cited the Nigeria Startup Act, a product of collaboration between the government and the tech ecosystem, aimed at encouraging venture capital investments, innovation hubs, and supporting local start-ups. This act is part of a broader effort to enhance the country’s digital economy and ensure Nigeria remains competitive on the global stage.
Inuwa called for a collective push to build Africa’s digital infrastructure, stressing the need for systems that support seamless content sharing and data flow across borders. He emphasized that such infrastructure is essential for strengthening the continent’s digital economy and enabling it to compete globally.
Joining Inuwa on the panel were other distinguished leaders in Africa’s tech ecosystem, including Dr. Augustina Odame, CEO of the Ghana Chamber of Technology; David Manley, Chief Technology Advisor for Sierra Leone; and Marieme Kane, Director of Innovation at Mauritania’s Ministry of Digital Transformation. Together, they discussed the importance of cooperation in advancing Africa’s tech landscape and addressing the challenges of scaling innovation across the continent.
Inuwa concluded by highlighting the necessity of continuous collaboration between governments and the private sector to drive the continent’s digital transformation, build resilient economies, and shape Africa’s role in the global tech ecosystem.
