NITDA forges global partnerships to enhance Nigeria’s digital future

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is accelerating efforts to establish impactful global partnerships aimed at fostering inclusive growth, driving innovation, and advancing technological development across Nigeria.

This strategic direction was emphasized during a recent meeting held at the NITDA Headquarters.

The Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, who joined the engagement virtually, was represented by the Director of the Information Technology Infrastructure Solutions Department, Mr. Oladejo Olawumi.

The meeting centered on discussions with Mr. Hiro Mashita, the founder of SGgrow, a firm committed to identifying and supporting promising Nigerian startup investment opportunities and connecting them to global ecosystems.

Inuwa highlighted NITDA’s proactive approach to international collaboration, emphasizing the agency’s strong relationship with the Japanese government through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

He announced an upcoming signing ceremony for a major innovation project being established in Abuja with JICA’s support, adding that there is an ongoing partnership with the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) to create a dedicated fund.

Highlighting the success of the iHatch initiative—an idea incubation program co-designed with JICA—Inuwa stated:
“We have been collaborating with them on several initiatives like iHatch. The pilot resulted in the creation of over 117 direct jobs and more than 370 indirect jobs. Now, we are working together to expand it to all 36 states and the FCT.”

The initiative provides Nigerian startups with six months of incubation, leveraging JICA’s expertise and resources to develop market-ready products.

He added, “NITDA and JICA are actively working to bridge the Nigerian and Japanese tech ecosystems by facilitating networking opportunities and sponsoring Nigerian startups to participate in activities in Japan.”

Inuwa affirmed that SGgrow’s objectives strongly align with NITDA’s mandate to digitally empower Nigeria through inclusive technology and innovation.

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“Your presentation perfectly aligns with our mandate and what we do as an agency,” he stated, emphasizing NITDA’s vision of leveraging technology across all sectors to drive national prosperity and inclusivity. He also stressed the critical role of a robust startup ecosystem in achieving this vision.

NITDA is building a repository of labeled and compliant startups to enhance transparency and enable potential government incentives, including matching funding through strategic collaborations.

The agency is also developing an investment framework, including initiatives with Google to build essential digital sovereign infrastructure.

Inuwa expressed NITDA’s keen interest in exploring a collaborative framework with SGgrow, potentially leveraging the existing partnership with JICA.

“We can explore how we can work together to build a framework—perhaps even work with JICA to ensure strong participation from the Japanese government, startups, and other investors. For me, it is more about cooperation than competition,” he stated.

Earlier, in his remarks, Mr. Mashita of SGgrow outlined his company’s mission to identify and support promising Nigerian startups, providing them with opportunities for growth and international exposure.

He emphasized SGgrow’s long-term investment approach and belief in Nigeria’s potential as an economic powerhouse, positioning the company as a key liaison between Nigeria and Japan.

Mashita proposed exploring joint projects, enhancing support for Nigerian startups, and examining the potential impact of stock exchange participation within the Nigerian startup ecosystem.

He also highlighted the importance of intergovernmental relationships in creating a conducive investment environment.