Browsing: Connects Nigerian Startups With Market-Targets

The DirectorGeneral of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, has challenged African innovators, investors and policymakers to transform the continent from a major consumer of digital technologies into a globally competitive creator of innovative solutions, intellectual property and sustainable technology enterprises. Inuwa,in his keynote address prepared for Moonshot 2026, organized by TechCabal at the National Theatre, Lagos, from October 28,29, under the theme “Courage & Conviction — Building for a New World,” NITDA DG, emphasized that Africa’s technological future must be defined by innovation, entrepreneurship, collaboration and measurable economic impact.  “Africa’s next chapter will not be written by the technologies we consume. It will be written by the value we have the courage to create,” he declared. He observed that Africa possesses exceptional technological talent but continues to face significant gaps in access to infrastructure, financing, mentorship and markets. He stressed that bridging these gaps requires stronger collaboration among government, universities, investors, technology companies and innovation hubs.  InuwahightedNITDA’s evolving role as an ecosystem orchestrator, the Agency’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0) prioritises connecting digital talent to opportunities, research to commercialisation, startups to capital, innovation to markets and technological advancement to public trust, he explained. He challenged Nigeria’s technology ecosystem to move beyond celebrating hackathons, pitch competitions and funding announcements towards building commercially viable enterprises that create jobs, solve real problems and compete internationally. “The true measure of an innovation ecosystem is not how many startups it celebrates. It is how many sustainable enterprises it helps create,” he stated. As part of this transformation, the DirectorGeneral highlighted the forthcoming Builders’ Festival at the Digital Nigeria International Conference and Exhibition, scheduled for November 1012, 2026, in Abuja. The initiative aims to connect indigenous startups developing solutions to real industry challenges with corporate organisations, investors and potential customers, targeting a ₦3 billion investment pipeline for promising entrepreneurs. He clarified that the figure represents a mobilisation target rather than funding already secured.  On artificial intelligence, Abdullahi urged Nigeria to develop indigenous AI capabilities in agriculture, healthcare, education, manufacturing and locallanguage technologies rather than remain dependent on imported applications.  He called on investors to support promising indigenous enterprises, corporations to create opportunities for startup solutions, and government institutions to strengthen enabling policies, infrastructure and strategic partnerships. Concluding, the NITDA boss maintained that Africa’s technological competitiveness would depend on three critical foundations: innovation, trust and disciplined execution. “The future will not belong only to those who predict it. It will belong to those with the courage to build it, the conviction to sustain it, and the discipline to make it work,” he declared. He urged African innovators to embrace global ambition while developing solutions that create lasting economic opportunities and prosperity across the continent. “Let us stop asking whether Africa can build the future. Let us start demonstrating how Africa will build it.”