By Dele Ogbodo
In the bid to further drive and deepen Nigeria’s digital future, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is intensifying efforts to cultivate impactful global partnerships aimed at fostering inclusive growth, driving innovation, and accelerating technological advancement across Nigeria.
This strategic direction was highlighted during a recent meeting held at NITDA Headquarters.
The Director General/CEO, NITDA, Mr. Kashifu Inuwa, who joined the engagement virtually due to a scheduled follow-up meeting with Google in the United States regarding investments in national sovereign infrastructure was represented by the Director of the Information Technology Infrastructural Solutions Department, Mr. Oladejo Olawumi.
The meeting also focused on discussions with Mr. Hiro Mashita, the founder of SGgrow, a firm committed to identifying and supporting promising Nigerian startup investment opportunities and connecting them with global ecosystems.
Inuwa, highlighted NITDA’s proactive approach to international collaboration, emphasising the agency’s strong existing relationship with the Japanese government through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
He announced an upcoming signing ceremony for a significant innovation project being established in Abuja with JICA’s support adding that there is ongoing partnership with the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) to establish a dedicated fund.
While noting that the success of the collaboration with JICA is the iHatch initiative, a co-designed idea incubation program, the DG, said “We have been collaborating with them on so many initiatives like iHatch.
According to him, the pilot NITDA did created over 117 direct jobs and more than 370 indirect jobs, and now we are working together with them to expand it to all 36 states and the FCT.
The initiative provides Nigerian startups with 6 months of incubation, leveraging JICA’s expertise and resources to develop market-ready products. “
He added that, “NITDA and JICA are actively working to bridge the Nigerian and Japanese tech ecosystems, facilitating networking opportunities and sponsoring Nigerian startups to participate in activities in Japan.”
Inuwa, affirmed that SGgrow’s objectives strongly align with NITDA’s mandate to digitally empower Nigeria through inclusive technology and innovation.
“Your presentation perfectly aligns with our mandate and what we do as an Agency,” he stated, emphasising the Agency’s vision of leveraging technology across all sectors to drive national prosperity and inclusivity. He stressed the crucial role of a robust startup ecosystem in achieving this vision.
NITDA is actively building a repository of labeled and compliant startups to enhance transparency and facilitate potential government incentives, including matching funding through collaborations. The agency is also developing an investment framework, including efforts with Google to build vital digital sovereign infrastructure.
The NITDA boss expressed NITDA’s keen interest in exploring a collaborative framework with SGgrow, potentially involving their existing partnership with JICA.
“We can explore how we can work together to build a framework; maybe even to work with JICA to have strong participation from the Japanese government, startups, and other investors. For me, it is more about cooperation than competition.” he disclosed.
Earlier, in his statement, Mashita, articulated his company’s mission to identify and support promising Nigerian startups, providing them with opportunities for growth and exposure.
He highlighted their long-term investment approach and belief in Nigeria’s potential as an economic giant, aiming to serve as a key liaison between Nigeria and Japan.
He proposed exploring potential joint projects, enhancing support for Nigerian startups, and examining the possibilities for stock exchange effects within the Nigerian startup ecosystem. He also underscored the importance of intergovernmental relationships in fostering a conducive investment environment.
This engagement underscores NITDA’s commitment to seeking and fostering international collaborations that inject expertise, investment, and opportunities into Nigeria’s burgeoning digital economy, ultimately driving inclusive growth and technological advancement for the nation.
