Northern Nigeria must become an active participant in the country’s digital economy rather than remain a region that primarily consumes technology developed elsewhere, according to the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi.
Abdullahi made the call on Thursday, November 5, 2026, at the Global Tech Africa (GTA) Conference in Kano, where he stressed that technology must reach every part of the country if Nigeria hopes to achieve inclusive economic growth and national prosperity. He explained that the decision to host the conference in Kano was deliberate, as technology events and investment opportunities have historically concentrated around Lagos and Abuja.
His message reflects a wider national challenge: expanding digital participation beyond established technology centres and ensuring that businesses, entrepreneurs, students and institutions across the North can contribute to innovation, create digital products and access emerging markets.
Kano’s Commercial Heritage Meets the Digital Economy
Kano has historically served as a major commercial centre connecting communities across the Sahel, North Africa and other parts of the continent. However, changing trade patterns, e-commerce and digital business models have transformed how companies reach customers and compete for markets.
Abdullahi argued that the region must adapt to these changes by using technology to strengthen its traditional commercial advantages. Rather than viewing digital platforms as a threat to physical markets, traders and business owners can use them to reach customers beyond their immediate locations, improve transactions and expand their operations.
For example, online marketplaces, social media platforms and digital payment systems can help small businesses display products, receive orders and serve customers across state and national borders. Consequently, traditional trading centres such as Kano can combine their established commercial networks with digital tools to develop broader market connections.
The NITDA chief also encouraged stakeholders to consider how technology could help Kano regain a stronger position in regional trade. He maintained that the opportunity extends beyond the state, because stronger commercial and technology connections in Kano could benefit Nigeria and neighbouring Sahelian countries.
Digital Skills Training Expands Across Northern Nigeria
One of the foundations of meaningful participation in the digital economy is access to practical skills. Without the ability to use digital tools productively, individuals and businesses may remain excluded even when internet services are available.
NITDA has previously reported that more than 350,000 people in Northern Nigeria had received digital skills training since 2023 through initiatives such as the Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme and Digital Literacy for All campaign. The agency has also outlined a national ambition to achieve basic digital literacy among more than 70 per cent of Nigerians by 2027.
These initiatives address different levels of digital participation. While basic digital literacy helps citizens navigate online services and use technology confidently, technical talent programmes aim to develop specialised capabilities that can support employment, entrepreneurship and technology production.
However, the region needs to translate training opportunities into measurable economic outcomes. This means connecting learners with employers, supporting technology entrepreneurs, improving access to finance and encouraging businesses to recruit people with relevant digital skills.
Universities and other higher institutions also have an important role to play. They must strengthen the relationship between research, industry and entrepreneurship so that innovations developed by students and researchers can progress beyond academic projects into products and services that address real economic needs.
Infrastructure and Investment Remain Critical
Digital participation requires more than training. Reliable broadband connectivity, affordable access to computing resources, supportive policies and investment capital are equally important.
The Federal Government has pursued a broadband expansion programme involving the planned deployment of 90,000 kilometres of fibre-optic cables across Nigeria. The initiative is intended to improve connectivity and extend digital opportunities to communities that have historically experienced limited access to reliable internet services.
NITDA has also highlighted its National Sovereign Cloud Initiative, which seeks to strengthen domestic computing capacity and support the secure processing and storage of Nigerian data. Such infrastructure is increasingly important as businesses, government institutions and technology developers adopt cloud computing, artificial intelligence and data-driven services.
For Northern Nigeria, the benefits will depend on how effectively these investments reach underserved communities, educational institutions, commercial centres and emerging technology businesses. Improved connectivity can help local entrepreneurs participate in e-commerce, enable remote employment and give innovators access to tools required to develop and distribute digital products.
Nevertheless, infrastructure development must progress alongside investment in local talent. Connectivity alone cannot create a sustainable innovation economy if entrepreneurs lack funding, mentorship, business support and access to customers.
Government, Universities and Businesses Must Work Together
At the Kano conference, Abdullahi highlighted the importance of bringing government institutions, academia, entrepreneurs, investors and corporate organisations together to strengthen the innovation ecosystem.
He argued that universities must produce graduates whose skills respond to the needs of businesses and industries. Researchers, meanwhile, need stronger pathways for commercialising their work, while entrepreneurs require access to skilled personnel who can help transform ideas into viable businesses.
Corporate organisations can contribute by identifying market needs, supporting innovation and creating opportunities for locally developed products. Investors also have a significant role because startups need risk capital to develop prototypes, expand operations and compete in larger markets.
The NITDA DG further explained that government should provide the policies, infrastructure and enabling environment that allow private-sector innovation to thrive. He pointed to Nigeria’s fintech development as an example of how policy decisions can create opportunities for technology businesses. In particular, he referenced the Central Bank of Nigeria’s 2012 cashless policy direction and the opportunities that followed for financial technology solutions.
He also encouraged Kano State to provide leadership by connecting the relevant stakeholders and sustaining collaboration beyond the conference.
Funding Opportunities for Startups
Abdullahi also highlighted funding opportunities available to Nigerian startups, including a $50 million seed fund established through collaboration involving the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), with NITDA facilitating the initiative.
He identified the Bank of Industry and Bank of Agriculture as additional institutions through which businesses may explore financing opportunities.
However, startups seeking to benefit from Federal Government incentives must understand the Nigerian Startup Act framework. Abdullahi explained that eligible businesses should register on the Nigerian Startup Portal and complete the prescribed labelling process to qualify for relevant incentives.
Access to funding remains important, but the long-term success of these opportunities will depend on transparent selection processes, viable business models and the ability of supported companies to create sustainable products, employment and economic value.
Turning Regional Participation into Measurable Progress
The call for Northern Nigeria to participate actively in the digital economy raises an important question: how can the region measure progress beyond conference attendance, training announcements and investment pledges?
Useful indicators include the number of businesses adopting digital payment and e-commerce systems, startups securing investment, technology products reaching the market, graduates obtaining relevant employment and communities gaining reliable broadband access.
These measures would help determine whether digital initiatives are translating into improved productivity and stronger economic participation.
The Global Tech Africa Conference in Kano has provided a platform for policymakers, investors, technology companies and entrepreneurs to discuss these opportunities. Organisers also disclosed that the Kano edition attracted more than 417 registered delegates, received 200 hackathon applications and shortlisted 50 applicants, with 10 selected to showcase their innovations. The organisers set an ambition of attracting $3.5 billion in investment commitments, compared with the $2.5 billion target associated with the 2025 Lagos edition. These are conference-related figures and targets, not evidence that the investments have already been secured.
Ultimately, Northern Nigeria’s participation in the digital economy will depend on sustained collaboration, practical skills development, reliable infrastructure and access to investment. The region’s commercial heritage and human capital offer opportunities, but converting them into lasting economic gains will require businesses, universities, governments and investors to work together.
Abdullahi’s message is therefore not simply a call for the North to adopt technology. It is a challenge for the region to become a stronger producer of digital solutions, a destination for technology investment and an active contributor to Nigeria’s evolving digital economy.
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