(SINL NIGERIA) The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has reaffirmed its commitment to building a coordinated and inclusive digital ecosystem in Nigeria, positioning the country’s startup framework as a model for digital entrepreneurship development across Africa.
This was disclosed during a working visit focused on Nigeria’s startup ecosystem framework, where the Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, was represented by the Director of Stakeholders Management and Partnerships, Aristotle Onumo.
Speaking during the engagement, Inuwa stated that NITDA was established to drive coordinated and sustainable information technology development in Nigeria through its regulatory and developmental mandates.
He noted that the agency serves as an ecosystem orchestrator, fostering collaboration, innovation, and growth within the country’s digital economy.
According to him, NITDA’s ongoing reforms align with the Federal Government’s Eight-Point Agenda and are reflected in the agency’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0), which is anchored on eight strategic pillars aimed at accelerating Nigeria’s digital economy.
He explained that one of the core objectives of the roadmap is to position Nigeria as a technologically driven nation that promotes inclusive economic development through innovation.
The NITDA DG identified digital literacy as a major priority, revealing that the agency targets 70 percent digital literacy by 2027 under the National Digital Literacy Framework, with a long-term target of 95 percent by 2030.
He added that other focus areas include ecosystem development, advancement of IT talent, expansion of digital infrastructure, implementation of policies, and promotion of research-driven innovation.
Meanwhile, the visiting delegation from Angola’s National Institute of Support for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (INAPEM), led by Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer, Bráulio Augusto, commended Nigeria’s progress in implementing the Nigeria Startup Act.
Augusto described Nigeria as a valuable reference point for Angola as it moves to develop and implement its own startup legislation.
He disclosed that Angola’s Startup Law has received initial parliamentary approval and is now entering the implementation stage, adding that the country is seeking insights into how Nigeria transitioned from policy adoption to practical execution.
According to him, Angola is particularly interested in areas such as startup labelling, incentive management, ecosystem mapping, investor registration, and the operation of the Nigeria Startup Portal.
Augusto further explained that Angola is developing the Startup Angola Programme under its Digital Entrepreneurship Support Programme to create a structured and integrated startup ecosystem rather than isolated interventions.
He said the initiative would focus on institutional strengthening, startup funding, support for business development service providers, expansion of innovation hubs, and partnerships with international accelerators.
The INAPEM chief noted that Nigeria’s experience would help Angola address challenges such as informality, limited access to finance, youth unemployment, digital inclusion gaps, and restricted market access for small and medium-sized enterprises.
He also requested additional technical insights into the operations of Nigeria’s National Startup Council, including its membership selection process and governance structure for the Nigeria Startup Portal.
SINL NIgeria Online reports that the visit underscores growing collaboration among African countries in digital policy development and reinforces Nigeria’s position as a leading reference point for startup ecosystem frameworks on the continent.
