The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has launched an initiative to link Nigerian startups with investors, corporate organisations, and potential customers. This effort aims to create a N3 billion investment pipeline for local technology businesses. NITDA Director-General Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi announced this at the Moonshot 2026 conference in Lagos, emphasizing the need for Africa's technology ecosystem to shift from digital consumption to creating globally competitive innovations.
Abdullahi highlighted that Africa's technological future relies on its ability to develop homegrown solutions, intellectual property, and sustainable businesses that can compete internationally. He noted that despite the continent's growing technology talent pool, innovators face challenges such as infrastructure, financing, mentorship, and market access. To address these gaps, Abdullahi stressed the importance of stronger collaboration among government institutions, universities, investors, technology companies, and innovation hubs.
NITDA's Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0) aims to bridge the gaps between digital talent and opportunities, research and commercialization, startups and capital, and innovation and markets. The agency is repositioning itself as a digital ecosystem orchestrator, focusing on ensuring technology development translates into commercially viable businesses and measurable economic outcomes. Abdullahi urged stakeholders to prioritize the creation of sustainable enterprises over celebrating hackathons and funding announcements.
The NITDA chief emphasized that the success of an innovation ecosystem should be measured by the sustainability and impact of the enterprises it produces. He announced the upcoming Builders' Festival at the Digital Nigeria International Conference and Exhibition, scheduled for November 10-12, 2026, in Abuja. This initiative will connect local startups with corporate organisations, investors, and potential customers to mobilize a N3 billion investment pipeline for promising entrepreneurs.
The target investment pipeline represents an investment mobilisation objective, not funding already secured. Abdullahi also called for increased investment in indigenous artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, particularly in agriculture, healthcare, education, manufacturing, and local-language technologies. He warned against continued dependence on imported applications and urged investors to support promising local enterprises.
Abdullahi encouraged corporations to support local startups, emphasizing the need for a new world built on courage and conviction. He stated that Africa's next chapter will not be written by the technologies it consumes but by the value it creates. The NITDA director-general urged stakeholders to move beyond celebrations and focus on creating sustainable enterprises that can compete globally.
The Builders' Festival is expected to play a crucial role in improving market access and investment opportunities for local innovators. By connecting startups with investors and potential customers, NITDA aims to create a robust ecosystem that fosters growth and sustainability. The initiative is a key component of NITDA's efforts to drive Nigeria's digital economy and create a globally competitive technology sector.
Key points
- NITDA targets N3 billion investment pipeline for Nigerian startups.
- Initiative aims to connect local startups with investors, corporate organisations, and potential customers.
- NITDA emphasises need for investment in indigenous AI capabilities.
