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 was highlighted during a recent meeting held at NITDA Headquarters, Abuja.
NITDA Director General, NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa , CCIE joined the virtually engagement that was scheduled to follow-up with the Google in the United States regarding investments in national sovereign infrastructure was ably represented by the Director of the Information Technology Infrastructural Solutions Department, Mr. Oladejo Olawumi.
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).
JICA’s supports the ongoing partnership with the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) to establish a dedicated fund and an upcoming signing ceremony for a significant innovation project being established in Abuja, He noted.
“We have been collaborating with them on so many initiatives like iHatch. The pilot we did resulted to 117 direct jobs and more than 370 indirect jobs, now we are working together with them to expand it to all 36 states and the FCT. The initiative provides Nigerian startups with six months of incubation, leveraging JICA’s expertise and resources to develop market-ready products” The success of the collaboration with JICA is the iHatch initiative, a co-designed idea incubation program, the DG stated.
“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,” 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.
The agency is also developing an investment framework, including efforts with Google to build vital digital sovereign infrastructure. NITDA is actively building a repository of labeled and compliant startups to enhance transparency and facilitate potential government incentives, including matching funding through collaborations.
NITDA DG, emphasized more in exploring a collaborative framework with SGgrow, potentially involving their existing partnership with JICA. “We can explore, work together to build a framework; work with JICA to have strong participation from the Japanese government, startups, and other investors. It’s more about cooperation than competition.
Mr. Mashita, 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. SGgrow articulated his company’s mission to identify and support promising Nigerian startups, providing them with opportunities for growth and exposure.
He underscored the importance of intergovernmental relationships in fostering a conducive investment environment and proposed exploring potential joint projects, enhancing support for Nigerian startups, and examining the possibilities for stock exchange effects within the Nigerian startup ecosystem.
The 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.
