In its ongoing effort to revitalise the nation’s startup ecosystem and propel the journey towards a digitally transformed nation, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has engaged key stakeholders from the technology sector in a Digital Policy Dialogue.
The primary goal of this engagement is to gather insights for the effective implementation of the Nigeria Startup Act (NSA).
The dialogue, held in Lagos, served as a platform for stakeholders to contribute inclusive and valuable ideas. The aim is to establish a practical framework that will foster innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainable economic growth within Nigeria’s startup ecosystem.
The dialogue session, organised by the GIZ/Digital Transformation Center Nigeria, focused on enhancing policy implementation capabilities within the digital innovation ecosystem. It aimed to bolster collaboration among stakeholders from various sectors, facilitate an inclusive policy implementation structure and stimulate innovation and economic advancement.
Addressing the impact of the NSA on Digital Transformation in Nigeria during his closing remarks, NITDA’s director-general, Mallam Kashifu Abdullahi, provided an overview of the Act and its potential benefits for Nigerian youths and the nation at large.
Represented by his special adviser on digital transformation, Dr. Aminu Lawal, the director-general highlighted that the NSA, passed in October 2022, was designed to cultivate a more favourable environment for startups in Nigeria.
He emphasised, “The Act offers several benefits for startups, including tax incentives, access to seed funds, grants and loans, intellectual property protection, talent development, capacity building and regulatory support”.
Abdullahi commended the enactment of the Act as a significant step towards bolstering Nigeria’s startup ecosystem. He emphasised that the Act would enhance the visibility of Nigerian startups, thereby attracting both foreign and domestic investments, generating employment opportunities, and driving innovation.
Furthermore, Abdullahi underlined that the NSA would exert a noteworthy influence on three crucial components of digital transformation: people, processes and technology.
Elaborating on the Act’s implications for people, Abdullahi explained that the training and mentorship provisions would equip individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in the digital era. He highlighted, “This will contribute to cultivating a more skilled digital workforce and fortifying the digital economy”.
Discussing the Act’s influence on processes, Abdullahi stated, “The Act’s provisions for support and access to funds will empower startups to develop and deliver digital services that streamline the processes of customers across diverse sectors”.
Turning to the final pillar, technology, the NITDA leader emphasised that the Act would facilitate the exploration of emerging technologies, enabling the creation of solutions that attract investments in digital innovations.
He further noted that the Act would enhance data accessibility, foster collaboration between startups and the government and ultimately improve access to digital services.
While affirming NITDA’s commitment to collaborate with stakeholders across various sectors to provide essential startup support services and enhance all necessary indices for the growth of innovative-driven enterprises, Abdulllahi urged all stakeholders to consider the implementation of the NSA as a collective responsibility.
He concluded, “To maximise the benefits of the Startup Act, we are dedicated to forging stronger partnerships with public sector stakeholders and entrepreneurs. Together, we will proactively anticipate disruptive innovations, build capacity, foster an enabling environment, and unlock their potential. By doing so, we will uncover new niches for industries and encourage investment in our creative entrepreneurial community, all while progressing towards sustainable and inclusive growth”.
