NITDA harps on the need for a vibrant startup ecosystem
Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, director-general, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), says that a vibrant startup ecosystem is highly critical to the future of our country as well as finding vital solutions to our various challenges.
Mallam Abdullahi disclosed this when he gave an opening remark at the virtual Bridge To MassChallenge (B2MC) Nigeria Media Engagement session, on Tuesday.
He noted that Innovation is a prominent way of creating prosperity for all and lifting countries out of poverty.
He added that the partnership with MassChallenge is to catalyse and support a national startup community in Nigeria.
The DG further stated that the partnership will focuses on achieving three main objectives, firstly, “to promote Nigeria as an emerging entrepreneurial hub and leader of innovation in Africa.
“Secondly, to foster the growth and success of Nigeria’s startup enterprises by connecting our entrepreneurs with markets, networks, and capital in the global innovation ecosystem; and
Lastly but not the least, to facilitate key strategies to complement growing innovation initiatives within Nigeria”.
He explained that their objectives, is to work with relevant stakeholders, noting that NITDA cannot succeed in silo.
He therefore, identified the media, as one of the important stakeholders that would be fully involved in this initiative of building a national startup community in Nigeria.
Other important stakeholders include critical government agencies, academia, business entities, angels investors and venture capitals and entrepreneurs.
He added that Nigerian startups are targeting the global market.
According to him, “Nigeria is a leader in the digital skills and startup ecosystem in Africa.
“The investments attracted by our startups confirms the position.
“Recently, Flutterwave announced new funding of $170m, and Stripe acquired Paystack for more than $200m.
“Other Nigerian technology companies like Interswitch have raised funding in the hundreds of millions of dollars” he concluded.
