NACCIMA, NITDA seek N3bn investment in Nigeria’s digital innovation
NACCIMA, NITDA seek N3bn investment in Nigeria’s digital innovation
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) have called for increased investment in local digital innovations to accelerate Nigeria’s economic growth.
They made the call at the 2026 Digital Nigeria International Conference and Exhibition (DNICE), organised by NITDA in Abuja, on Tuesday with theme: “Driving Nigeria’s Digital Future: Secure, Intelligent and Inclusive Systems”.
The Director-General of NITDA,Malam Kashifu Inuwa, represented by the Director of Special Duties, Dr Aristotle Onumo, said the agency was targeting N3 billion in pipeline investments through its Builders Festival initiative.
He said the initiative was designed to connect Nigerian startups with real operational challenges identified by government institutions, corporations and financial organisations.
According to him, more than 100 verified challenges across sectors, including healthcare, education, agriculture, logistics, digital identity and artificial intelligence, have been matched with pre-qualified Nigerian startups offering ready-to-deploy solutions.
“Our target is to unlock a pipeline investment of N3 billion, and I believe it is possible,” he said.
Inuwa said the conference was structured around four pillars: the Builders Festival, policy and strategic discussions, practical masterclasses and the Nigeria Digital Honours Award.
He stressed that the event was designed to translate discussions into practical outcomes, including contracts, jobs, revenue and improved public services.
He urged government institutions to become the first customers of Nigerian innovations, while encouraging investors to support local technology entrepreneurs.
Also speaking, the National President of NACCIMA, Dr Jani Ibrahim, said Nigeria’s ambition to build a one-trillion-dollar economy by 2030 required deliberate integration of technology, enterprise and investment.
Ibrahim said Nigeria had nearly 40 million Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), accounting for about 46 per cent of Gross Domestic Product and nearly 88 per cent of employment.
He said digital transformation must therefore extend beyond large corporations to small businesses across the country.
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He identified three priorities for the NITDA-NACCIMA partnership: business-to-business deal rooms and commercial agreements, a 10,000 AI Enterprise Accelerator programme, and improved digital trust through cybersecurity and data protection.
“Do not merely admire Nigerian innovation. Please buy it, and not only do that, fund it,” he said.
Mr Jimmy Mauldin, Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria, called for stronger international partnerships to support Nigeria’s digital development.
Mauldin said Nigeria could achieve technological sovereignty while maintaining global connectivity and access to secure technologies.
“Real technological sovereignty does not mean isolation. It means choosing the best technology in the world while building your own national champions on top of it,” he said.
He identified digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, fintech, cybersecurity and commercial partnerships as key areas requiring stronger collaboration between Nigeria and the United States.
Also, the Commander of the Nigerian Army Cyber Warfare Command, Maj.-Gen. Emmanuel Mustapha, described a secure digital environment as a national imperative, particularly amid increasing cyberattacks and the growing influence of artificial intelligence.
He commended NITDA for promoting a secure and inclusive digital ecosystem through data protection, e-governance, startup support and digital literacy initiatives.
The three-day conference also features exhibitions, practical training sessions, business engagements and recognition of outstanding contributions to Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
