Director General National Information Technology Development Agency NITDA Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, President Japan International Corporation Agency JICA Akihiko Tanaka,inspecting one of the facilities at the National Center for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics NCAIR, during the latters visit to centre in Abuja.
"NITDA and JICA Collaboration Elevates Nigeria's Startup Ecosystem to Global Prominence"
By Gloria Sarauniya Usman
ABUJA, NIGERIA October, 2024-
The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, has stated that the agency's partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has significantly boosted Nigeria's startup ecosystem, earning it global recognition. This was highlighted during a meeting with JICA President, Dr. Akihiko Tanaka, at the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) in Abuja, a specialized unit under NITDA.
Inuwa explained that through this collaboration, Nigerian startups have been able to participate in international tech exhibitions and conferences across Africa and the Middle East. Furthermore, the partnership has fostered connections with major Japanese corporations like Mitsubishi, leading to training for 112 startup founders from 56 companies and the creation of over 300 direct jobs in Nigeria.
“NITDA was established in 2001 to implement the national IT policy, and back then, fewer than 500,000 Nigerians had access to computers. Today, we’ve made remarkable strides in bridging the digital divide,” Inuwa remarked. He highlighted the significant growth of Nigeria’s ICT sector, which now contributes over 16% to the country’s GDP, compared to less than 0.5% at its inception, with around 120 million Nigerians having access to computers.
Citing World Bank research predicting a global talent shortage of 85 million by 2030, Inuwa proposed that Nigeria could help bridge this gap by developing a strategic talent pipeline between Nigeria and Japan. This collaboration could address Japan's aging workforce while tapping into Nigeria’s young and growing population.
NITDA, through its Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0), has identified eight pillars to drive Nigeria’s digital transformation. Inuwa emphasized the focus on fostering digital literacy, cultivating a skilled workforce, and building a robust technology research ecosystem to spur innovation and research in emerging technologies.
The agency is also strengthening its internal processes, aiming to become more agile while fostering an inclusive and psychologically safe environment for staff and stakeholders to contribute effectively.
Dr. Akihiko Tanaka commended NITDA for its commitment to driving digital innovation and noted that JICA’s principle of co-creation aligns perfectly with this partnership. He emphasized that harnessing the potential of information technology is essential for sustainable development and global growth.
Tanaka further stressed that Nigeria's proactive approach in advancing information technology and artificial intelligence positions the country as a valuable partner for future collaborations. He advocated for leveraging the ingenuity of young Nigerian engineers, scientists, and entrepreneurs to develop innovative solutions that contribute to societal well-being.
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