Kashifu Inuwa, the Director General of Nigeria’s National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has made a strong pitch to international investors, encouraging them to explore Nigeria’s rapidly expanding digital economy. He described the country as a promising land of opportunity, powered by a youthful, innovative, and tech-savvy population.
Inuwa made this appeal while speaking at a breakfast meeting with global tech leaders, startups, and investors at GITEX Africa 2025 in Marrakech, Morocco. His engagement was part of efforts to build momentum ahead of GITEX Nigeria 2025, which will be held from September 1 to 4 in both Abuja and Lagos.
“Nigeria is home to one of the world’s youngest populations, with over 70% under the age of 25. This gives us a massive advantage in driving innovation and digital transformation,” he said.
He emphasized that the government is fully committed to building the country’s digital future by investing in infrastructure, digital literacy, and creating policies that enable tech businesses to thrive. According to Inuwa, Nigeria is not just preparing its people to use technology—they’re being empowered to build and export it.
Highlighting the importance of cloud adoption and digital sovereignty, he said that embracing new technologies and shifting away from outdated systems is crucial for success in today’s world.
Speaking on the upcoming GITEX Nigeria event, Inuwa explained that Abuja will focus on policy and investor dialogue, while Lagos, known for its buzzing tech scene, will showcase Nigeria’s vibrant startups and innovation hubs.
Other tech leaders echoed his optimism. Zoho’s Sales Director, Vijayaragavan Venugopal, said Nigeria has been at the forefront of their African expansion and that the upcoming GITEX event would offer a platform to further strengthen ties and grow the regional tech market.
Olu Olufemi White, CEO of Alami Capital, emphasized the need to support startups that prioritize people and community impact. She urged investors to believe in African startups now rather than waiting until global recognition forces attention.
“Don’t wait until we’ve already made it—support us now so we can grow together and tell our own success stories,” she said.
Inuwa concluded by stating that Nigeria is determined not to miss out on the Fourth Industrial Revolution as it did with the previous ones. This time, he said, the country is ready to lead.
