The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is ramping up its efforts to build impactful global partnerships aimed at fostering inclusive growth, innovation, and technological advancement across Nigeria. This strategic focus was emphasized during a recent meeting held at NITDA Headquarters in Abuja.
The Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, attended the engagement virtually due to a scheduled follow-up meeting with Google in the United States concerning investments in national sovereign infrastructure. In his absence, the Director of the Information Technology Infrastructural Solutions Department, Mr. Oladejo Olawumi, represented him during the discussions.
The key agenda of the meeting was a dialogue with Mr. Hiro Mashita, the founder of SGgrow, a firm dedicated to identifying and supporting Nigerian startups by connecting them with global ecosystems for investment and growth opportunities.
During the meeting, Inuwa emphasized NITDA’s commitment to fostering international collaborations, citing the Agency’s ongoing strong relationship with the Japanese government, particularly through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). He also announced an upcoming signing ceremony for an innovative project in Abuja, which will be supported by JICA. Additionally, Inuwa disclosed that NITDA is working closely with the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) to establish a dedicated fund to support Nigeria’s growing tech ecosystem.
A key highlight of NITDA’s partnership with JICA has been the iHatch initiative, an idea incubation program aimed at helping Nigerian startups develop market-ready products. Inuwa shared that the program’s pilot phase created 117 direct jobs and over 370 indirect jobs. Now, NITDA is collaborating with JICA to expand the initiative to all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). “The iHatch initiative provides Nigerian startups with six months of incubation, leveraging JICA’s expertise and resources to build sustainable, market-ready products,” Inuwa explained.
The NITDA DG also expressed his optimism about future collaborations with SGgrow, noting that the firm’s mission aligns closely with NITDA’s core objectives to digitally empower Nigeria through technology and innovation. “SGgrow’s presentation aligns perfectly with our mandate and vision as an agency,” he stated, underscoring the critical role of a strong startup ecosystem in driving Nigeria’s national prosperity and inclusivity.
As part of its ongoing efforts to support local startups, NITDA is building a comprehensive database of compliant startups to enhance transparency and facilitate access to government incentives. The Agency is also in the process of developing an investment framework in collaboration with global partners like Google to establish vital digital infrastructure for Nigeria’s tech ecosystem.
Inuwa expressed interest in exploring a collaborative framework with SGgrow, potentially involving their partnership with JICA. “We are interested in exploring how we can work together to build a strong framework that encourages participation from the Japanese government, startups, and investors,” Inuwa stated. “It’s about cooperation, not competition.”
Earlier in the meeting, Mr. Mashita of SGgrow emphasized his firm’s mission to support and identify promising Nigerian startups. He shared his belief in Nigeria’s potential as an economic powerhouse and underscored SGgrow’s commitment to facilitating opportunities for startups by connecting them with global markets. Mashita also proposed the possibility of joint projects, exploring the stock exchange’s impact on the Nigerian startup ecosystem, and the importance of fostering intergovernmental relationships to create a conducive investment environment.
This engagement highlights NITDA’s unwavering commitment to seeking out and fostering international collaborations that inject expertise, investment, and opportunities into Nigeria’s burgeoning digital economy. These efforts are designed to accelerate the nation’s technological transformation, drive inclusive growth, and position Nigeria as a leading global player in the tech sector.
