The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is stepping up efforts to forge strategic international partnerships that will drive inclusive growth, spark innovation and fast-track Nigeria’s technological progress.
This renewed commitment to global collaboration was emphasised during a recent high-level engagement at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.
The director-general of NITDA, Mallam Kashifu Abdullahi, who joined the session virtually due to prior commitments – including a follow-up meeting with Google executives in the United States to discuss investments in Nigeria’s national sovereign digital infrastructure – was represented by the director of information technology infrastructural solutions, Oladejo Olawumi.
The meeting centered on discussions with Mr. Hiro Mashita, the founder of SGgrow, a firm dedicated to identifying high-potential Nigerian startups and connecting them to global investment ecosystems. SGgrow’s focus is to strengthen Nigeria’s startup landscape by opening doors to international opportunities, particularly with Japan.
In his remarks, Abdullahi highlighted NITDA’s proactive approach to international cooperation, citing the agency’s robust existing relationship with the Japanese government through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). He revealed plans for an upcoming signing ceremony in Abuja for a major innovation project supported by JICA, signaling a deepening of bilateral tech collaboration. He also disclosed that NITDA is working closely with the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) to establish a dedicated fund for further bolstering Nigeria’s technology sector.
Speaking on the success of ongoing partnerships, Abdullahi pointed to the iHatch initiative, a flagship incubation programme co-designed with JICA. “The pilot phase of iHatch created over 117 direct jobs and more than 370 indirect jobs,” he noted. “Now, we are working together to scale it across all 36 states and the FCT. The initiative provides Nigerian startups with six months of intensive incubation, leveraging JICA’s global expertise and resources to develop market-ready solutions.”
He further explained that NITDA and JICA are committed to bridging the gap between Nigerian and Japanese tech ecosystems by facilitating networking opportunities, knowledge exchange and sponsoring Nigerian startups to participate in activities in Japan. This, he emphasised, is a strategic move to expand market access and expose Nigerian innovators to global best practices.
Abdullahi was equally enthusiastic about SGgrow’s alignment with NITDA’s mandate of digitally empowering Nigeria through inclusive technology and innovation. “Your presentation perfectly aligns with our mandate and our vision for Nigeria,” he told Mashita, stressing the vital role of a dynamic startup ecosystem in propelling Nigeria towards technological and economic prosperity.
He disclosed that NITDA is building a transparent database of registered, compliant startups to facilitate government incentives such as matching funding and to attract credible global partnerships. He also referenced ongoing talks with Google aimed at constructing essential digital sovereign infrastructure to secure Nigeria’s digital future.
Expressing strong interest in deepening ties with SGgrow, Abdullahi proposed a potential tripartite collaboration involving SGgrow, JICA and other Japanese stakeholders. “For me, it is more about cooperation than competition,” he stated, envisioning a collaborative framework that integrates Japanese government support, startup participation and strategic investments.
On his part, Mashita reiterated SGgrow’s commitment to supporting Nigerian startups by providing them with avenues for growth and global exposure. He outlined his company’s long-term investment philosophy and its conviction in Nigeria’s potential as an emerging economic powerhouse. Mashita also highlighted the importance of strengthening intergovernmental ties to foster a more enabling environment for investment.
He suggested exploring joint projects, enhancing support systems for Nigerian startups and examining the potential impact of stock exchange integrations within the ecosystem. His proposals reflected a shared ambition to position Nigeria as a thriving hub for technology and innovation.
This engagement not only underscores NITDA’s relentless pursuit of impactful global collaborations but also signals a promising future for Nigeria’s digital economy. Through such strategic alliances, NITDA is injecting fresh expertise, investment and opportunities into the country’s tech ecosystem, paving the way for inclusive growth and a digitally empowered Nigeria.
