…Newly proposed Nigerian Innovation Fund to sustain and scale digital innovation
Industry leaders, government officials, and the private sector were among the critical stakeholders who deepened the conversation on the need to shape the future of Nigeria’s digital economy through targeted policies and cooperative action.
This conversation set the tone for the 6th Policy Dialogue on Nigeria’s digital innovation ecosystem in Akwa-Ibom state.
Hosted by the Digital Transformation Center (DTC) Nigeria alongside the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and the Innovation Support Network (ISN) Hubs, the event was themed, “Catalysts for Change, Building a Vibrant Digital Economy.
It drew on insights from an extensive survey that revealed top priorities for Nigeria’s digital growth.
The five key focus areas included digital literacy and skills development, support for the startup ecosystem, access to finance, funding for innovation and research, and strengthening digital infrastructure.
These priorities laid the foundation for a series of group discussions aimed at creating actionable strategies to navigate current challenges.
Mr. Oladejo Olawumi from NITDA, Dr. Danyaro Yakasai, Special Adviser to the Governor of Kano State, and Honourable Uduak-Obong Ekpo-Ufot of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly were among the influential voices contributing to the discussion.
Their expertise and support highlighted the critical role of coordinated policy efforts in building a resilient digital future for Nigeria.
Other participants, including government, private industry, and civil society, had breakout sessions to discuss and propose practical strategies for these key areas.
A highlight of the dialogue was a focused discussion on establishing a Nigerian Innovation Fund (NIF), a proposed fund to sustain and scale digital innovation across Nigeria.
Attendees shared insights on structuring the fund to maximize its impact and ensure equitable support for tech initiatives nationwide.
Additionally, a comprehensive policy brief will be developed from the event’s recommendations.
This brief aims to bridge the gap between policymakers and digital stakeholders, providing a roadmap for policies that are responsive to the evolving needs of Nigeria’s tech ecosystem.
The Digital Transformation Center (DTC) Nigeria is co-funded by the European Union (EU) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.
