The need to create an enabling environment for the
multitude of technology start-ups in the country and turning Nigeria into a
tech-hub in Africa, has been described as the current focus of the new
management of the National IT Development Agency (NITDA). In his maiden meet
with Lagos-based online media/bloggers community today, the Acting DG of NITDA,
Dr. Vincent Olatunji reiterated the commitment of his agency in projecting the
image of the country using the value in the new digital economy.
Describing the intention of NITDA to be on creating ‘
ICT based SMEs’, Dr. Olatunji expressed his confidence that this is a sure way
of not only helping to diversify the economy but also creating youth employment
that the Nation urgently needs. “The way we live and we love and work have gone
online, so there’s need for NITDA to build up capacity to sustain these online
activities and ensure maximum benefits are derived from it”, says the DG.
While enumerating the comparative advantages of having
Nigeria as destination point for the growing digital economy in Africa, Dr.
Olatunji listed Nigeria’s size, English language, and high rate of education
as some of the key advantages potential investors in this new economy will be
looking at. In addition to that, a veritable platform to expose these tech-preneurs
is also being vigorously pursued by NITDA using various avenues. Some of these
includes the e-Nigeria Conference and Expo, which he described as “clearing
house for adopting relevant ideas and innovation for defining and accelerating
national economic growth”. The conference is structured to bring key players of
the Nigerian innovation ecosystem and foreign and local stakeholders together
to share experiences, identify challenges and propose strategies for using
ICT-enabled innovation and entrepreneurship to diversify the economy and create
jobs.
In a similar vein, the Agency is also using the annual
GiTEX Technology show organised by the Dubai World Trade Centre, (DWTC) to also
showcase the quality and potentials of local technology startups. NITDA is
facilitating Nigeria’s participation at three levels including the Nigerian
Pavilion, Nigerian Startups cobs inside the Innovation Hub, and the Gitex
Africa Investment Forum being co-managed by the NITDA and the DWTC.
“All these levels of participation are designed to
ensure maximum exposure to ICT and other non-oil sectors which is a cardinal
economic goal of the current government under President MuhammaduBuhari. Dubai
has become an international hub for business engagements. The NITDA has already
opened talks with several business prospects through the support of the DWTC
and the Consular Office in Dubai.
Since Nigeria started participating in Gitex, which is
billed to kick-off October 16- 20 this year at the Dubai World Trade Centre,
this is going to be the first time it’ll be showcasing tech startups at the
global show. While making a pledge to always interact with online and
conventional media on NITDA activities, the DG also promised to extend all
aspects of media partnership with the Agency which includes training, empowerment
and access to the online media community, describing them as “veritable agents
of change in the digital age”.
No comments:
Post a Comment