The Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, recently welcomed Hon. Lamin Jabbi, the Gambian Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, to the Nigerian Pavilion at GITEX Africa, held in Marrakech, Morocco.
The discussions focused on exploring mutually beneficial collaborative opportunities that would revitalize the Gambian tech ecosystem and provide pathways for deeper integration of both nations’ digital economies. Inuwa and Jabbi emphasized the significant role of technology in boosting economic growth, fostering innovation, and creating job opportunities. They explored how the two countries could harness their tech potentials to create a more vibrant and sustainable digital economy, while also addressing shared challenges such as infrastructure development, internet access, and digital skills training.
During the meeting, Inuwa reiterated NITDA’s commitment to strengthening digital trade and partnerships between Nigeria and Gambia. He proposed measures to further align tech initiatives and enhance cross-border investment. Notably, Inuwa called for the introduction of more supportive policies, such as tax holidays and financial incentives for startups in Gambia, which would encourage innovation and entrepreneurship, particularly in the digital space. These initiatives, he argued, would help Gambia build a robust digital ecosystem and attract more foreign investment in the tech sector.
Inuwa also underscored the importance of providing access to funding and venture capital for tech startups in Gambia and Nigeria, which could enable businesses to scale and compete on the global stage. He pointed to Nigeria’s successes in creating an enabling environment for its tech sector and suggested that Gambia could adopt similar models to attract global investors and create a thriving local tech scene.
Looking ahead, the meeting also served as a platform to discuss Gambia’s participation in the upcoming GITEX Nigeria event, which is scheduled for September 2025. Inuwa expressed confidence that GITEX Nigeria would provide a great opportunity for Gambia to showcase its digital capabilities and foster closer ties with Nigeria’s growing tech ecosystem. He highlighted that the event would be a great occasion for knowledge exchange and collaboration, creating new avenues for both Nigerian and Gambian tech businesses to expand.
Inuwa’s leadership at NITDA continues to drive Nigeria’s efforts to lead the digital transformation of Africa, and this meeting with the Gambian delegation reinforces the agency’s commitment to supporting digital innovation across the continent. The growing relationship between Nigeria and Gambia exemplifies the importance of cross-border collaboration in the digital age and the critical role of government support in fostering sustainable tech growth.
