BYDELEOGBODO
Innovative tech player: the Global Tech Africa, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA and the United States Consul will on Tuesday in joint collaboration showcase Nigeria’s technology potential and the inherent opportunities in the Start-up Act on Tuesday 25, July in Lagos.
The Head, Corporate Affairs and External Relations of NITDA, Mrs
Hadiza Umar, in statement made available to the media on behalf of the NITDA boss, Mr. Kashifu Inuwa on Thursday said over 300 stakeholders from the private, public, and development sectors will be gracing the summit.According to him, exposing the opportunities in the Nigerian Start-up Act will provide a platform for investors, regulators, and entrepreneurs to explore investment and global partnership opportunities.
Inuwa, said: “GTA, an initiative of the Future Map Foundation designed and implemented by Ascend Studios Foundation, and in partnership with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the U.S. Consulate General, will jointly launch the conference in Lagos.
The conference is designed to bring together African and international stakeholders in tech, unlock growth opportunities, and build the tech ecosystem in Africa, she added.
Other partners according to her, included Business Sweden, Venture Garden Group, RivExcel Health, and other tech giants from across the world.
Africa is poised to play a critical role in the global tech ecosystem, providing innovation, talent, and new market opportunities in areas such as mobile technology, e-commerce, fintech, ag-tech, and the digital economy, the NITDA Spokesperson added.
The NITDA, DG, harped on the opportunities GTA can bring to Africa with Nigeria playing a significant role in driving the growth of the African tech ecosystem “Nigeria’s tech prowess ignites a flame of innovation that illuminates Africa’s path towards a prosperous digital future, fostering job creation and driving economic growth across the continent.
The statement added: “Leveraging Nigeria’s youthful and tech-savvy population, favorable legislations, and policies, the country is well positioned to become Africa’s leading digital technology hub.
“The US has been a key partner to Nigeria in providing an enabling environment for the tech ecosystem.
“The U.S. Mission in Nigeria will continue to promote partnerships that advance the development of Nigeria’s tech and startup ecosystem to catalyze technological progress and promote a more robust U.S.-Nigeria trade and investment relationship.”
According to him, Nigeria is rapidly being recognized by global tech companies as a center for tech talent and innovation adding that the U.S. Mission is committed to working with U.S. and Nigerian tech companies to harness this great potential, he quoted the U.S. Consul General Will Stevens, as saying.
Speaking on the Opportunities, Dr. Inya Lawal, the president of Ascend Studios Foundation and implementation partner for GTA, and Abdulsalam Umar, of Future Map affirm that GTA will attract support from private, public, and development sectors to explore opportunities for tech infrastructure and investment, support for start-ups, grants/seed investment as it also enables increased participation and growth of Women and Girls in the tech ecosys