NITDA Focuses on Emerging Technology Startup @ DEMO Africa

Emerging technology startup, innovation and the ecosystem is one of the key areas of ICT sector that is engaging the attention of National Information Technology Development Agency [NITDA],  Mr. Peter Jack, DG of the agency, has said. 

According to the DG, with the vast resources that Demo Africa attracts the technology “startups require this kind of exposure” now and in the future; as the agency has supported Demo Africa, which Nigeria is hosting for the second consecutive year.
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Demo Africa will show case Nigerian ICT startups to the world and enrich their solution as well as provide them opportunity to network with venture capitalists, managers and investors. In addition, the event will build the necessary partnership that would take the startup technology products to a successful height.

“This will pave the path for job and wealth creation”, he enumerated.

Explaining what motivated NITDA to partner iDEA in the establishment of innovation hubs in Lagos and Calabar, he affirmed that it is an Act of parliament to establish IT parks and incubators as part of the efforts to develop the ICT industry.

“We have partnered with iDEA to establish those two centres. The result of iDEA is fascinating and proves that government can do more partnerships with the private sector to grow the industry”.

In the last three years of Demo Africa, 26 Nigerian ICT startups have launched their products at the event while others have co-located or incubated inside iDEA Hub, Co-Creation Hub and other hubs.

The agency avowed that it would continue to explore platforms to encourage ICT startups to develop innovative solution, launch their products and build organisational capacity.

While also helping the technology startups to access funds, market and scale their businesses, NITDA believes Demo Africa offers the right atmosphere to develop the ecosystem.

To sustain this tradition, the agency said it would assess existing situation in the country, viz-a-viz, other technology events and decide what would be the best form of partnership with the industry stakeholders.

While appreciating the commitment of the Demo Africa Local Organising Committee [LOC] for managing the technology event for two consecutive years, he said it is such “a sacrifice and passion that they have for the industry. We are all working relentlessly to ensure the success of this event. Many thanks to the chair, Mr. Yele Okeremi, for his leadership support”, he said.