NITDA: Nigeria’s startup framework becoming model for Angola’s digital entrepreneurship

*Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, Director-General, National Information Technology Development Agency, reaffirms the organisation’s commitment to building a coordinated and inclusive digital ecosystem in Nigeria

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

As part of continued efforts at strengthening its role as an ecosystem orchestrator, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has reaffirmed its commitment to building a coordinated and inclusive digital ecosystem in Nigeria.

ConsumerConnect reports Malam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, Director-General of NITDA, disclosed during a working visit centred on Nigeria’s startup ecosystem framework.

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Inuwa was represented at the forum by Dr. Aristotle Onumo, Director of Stakeholders Management and Partnerships at NITDA.

Speaking during the visit, the Director-General said NITDA was established to drive coordinated and sustainable information technology development in Nigeria, leveraging both its regulatory and developmental mandates, serving as an ecosystem orchestrator that fosters collaboration, innovation, and growth across the digital economy.

Inuwa: SRAP 2.0. designed to position Nigeria as a tech-driven economy

Inuwa stated that the reforms are aligned with the Federal Government’s Eight-Point Agenda and reflected in NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0).

The agency noted the SRAP 2.0 was built around eight strategic pillars designed to accelerate the growth of the Nigeria Digital Economy.

Inuwa emphasised that a key objective of the roadmap is to position Nigeria as a technologically-driven economy that promotes inclusive economic development through innovation.

The Chief Executive of the Information Technology (IT) sector regulatory agency as well highlighted digital literacy as a major priority.

He equally revealed that NITDA is targeting 70 percent digital literacy by 2027 under the National Digital Literacy Framework, with a long-term goal of achieving 95 percent by 2030.

Other priority areas, he said, include ecosystem development, IT talent advancement, expansion of digital infrastructure, policy implementation, and research-driven innovation.

Angola’s delegation lauds implementation of Nigeria Startup Act

NITDA disclosed the visiting delegation from Angola’s National Institute of Support for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (INAPEM), led by Bráulio Augusto, Chairman, Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of  PCA, commended Nigeria’s progress in implementing the Nigeria Startup Act and described the country as a valuable model for shaping Angola’s own startup legislation.

Augusto disclosed that Angola’s Startup Law has received initial parliamentary approval and is now entering the implementation stage.

He expressed interest in understanding how Nigeria transitioned from legal adoption to practical execution, particularly in areas, such as startup labelling, incentive management, ecosystem mapping, investor registration, and the operation of the Nigeria Startup Portal.

According to him, Angola is currently developing the Startup Angola Programme under its Digital Entrepreneurship Support Programme, aimed at building a structured and integrated startup ecosystem rather than isolated interventions.

Augusto explained the programme would focus on institutional strengthening, startup funding, support for business development service providers, expansion of innovation hubs, and partnerships with international accelerators.

The Chairman and CEO of PCA affirmed that Nigeria’s experience is especially relevant as Angola seeks solutions to challenges including informality, limited access to finance, youth unemployment, digital inclusion gaps, and restricted market access for small and medium-sized enterprises.

The INAPEM Chief Executive as well requested further technical insights into Nigeria’s National Startup Council, its member selection process, and the governance structure of the Nigeria Startup Portal.

The visit highlights growing collaboration among African countries in digital policy development.

It has also strengthened Nigeria’s position as a reference point in shaping startup ecosystem frameworks across the continent, stated NITDA.

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