The National Information Technology Development Agency has stepped up efforts to position Nigerian startups on the global stage. NITDA empowers startups with meaningful support and works to bridge the local–global divide. This move highlights Nigeria’s push to take its innovation scene worldwide.
At an Abuja event hosted on July 22, NITDA’s director-general, Kashifu Inuwa, emphasized the agency’s strong commitment to local innovators. He explained that they want to take homegrown ideas from local labs to global markets. Through partnerships and exposure, NITDA aims for long-term results.
This event formed part of a roadshow themed “Bridging Nigeria’s Innovation with Global Opportunities.” It brought together startups from the North Central region and underscored a national drive. To give innovators a platform and equal opportunity, NITDA is touring six geopolitical zones.
Inuwa shared that the roadshow will lead into the Gulf International Technology Exhibition in September, to be held in Lagos and Abuja. He added that NITDA has teamed up with the Dubai World Trade Center to offer Nigerian startups a seat at world-class tech stages. According to him, no idea should miss out on global reach.
By bringing local startups to national visibility, they can access both homegrown and foreign investments. NITDA empowers startups by creating pathways to funding and partnerships while nurturing their visibility beyond Nigeria.
Victoria Fabunmi from the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation also spoke at the event. She described the roadshow as proof of Nigeria’s growing digital ecosystem and said it prepares startups for global markets. The goal is to make innovative solutions known, fundable, and ready for international recognition.
Fabunmi emphasized the need for startups to build scalable solutions, win investors overseas, and make a lasting mark abroad. She added that shaping presentations to global audiences is key, and the roadshow helps startups polish that skill.
Representatives from the Dubai World Trade Center urged entrepreneurs to know their markets and tailor pitches accordingly. The startups that stood out at the Abuja session will be sponsored to attend GITEX in September. These include Hi-Prep from education, Fundusai in health, and Letmoveit.ng in logistics. NITDA will support the top three teams for the exhibition.
Each of these startups impressed with originality, scale potential, real customer impact, sustainability, and global relevance. GITEX will host over a thousand startups, more than 300 international investors, and around 20,000 visitors from across Africa and beyond.
This initiative builds on NITDA’s earlier efforts, such as launching a Startup Consultative Forum to remove regulatory barriers and improve investment access. The agency also forged global partnerships that helped secure grants totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars and millions of naira. Through research programs and grants, NITDA continues to position Nigeria at the forefront of digital innovation.
NITDA ensures startups get information on incentives, regulatory clarity, funding channels, and global networks. It also guarantees that startups have seats on national councils and forums. These activities drive both regional inclusion and international visibility.
Analysts say this approach will help Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem grow and attract global tech investors. They note that real-time engagement, data-driven policy, and inclusive governance set Nigerian startups apart. Such efforts promise long-term economic benefits and job creation.
Looking ahead, NITDA plans more roadshows across Nigeria and ongoing support for innovators in all zones. The focus remains on creating bridges from creative ideas to global markets. Startups will gain exposure, mentorship, and access to global platforms.
In conclusion, NITDA empowers startups through a clear national strategy. It blends roadshows, global exhibitions, grants, mentorship, and regulatory support. With these efforts, no promising Nigerian tech idea will be left out of global participation. Cameroon-based startups will be inspired, and Nigeria’s tech future looks vibrant under NITDA’s guidance.
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