Nigeria partners with Gitex for tech fair

The Federal Government of Nigeria has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with GITEX Global to establish GITEX Nigeria, an initiative aimed at harnessing information technology to enhance productivity, showcase Nigerian innovations and startups, attract investors, and facilitate connections with global audiences.

The MoU was signed by the Director-General and CEO of the Nigeria National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, on behalf of Nigeria during the ongoing GITEX Africa 2024 event in Marrakech, Morocco. Abdullahi emphasized that this partnership is poised to play a pivotal role in advancing Nigeria's tech sector and promoting its integration into the global tech landscape.

The establishment of GITEX Nigeria underscores the commitment of the Nigerian government to fostering innovation, supporting startups, and leveraging technology to drive economic growth and development. This initiative is expected to create a conducive environment for collaboration, investment, and knowledge exchange within the Nigerian tech ecosystem, ultimately contributing to the country's digital transformation journey.

Abdullahi emphasized the significance of the partnership and its potential to drive productivity across various sectors in Nigeria through the strategic utilization of Information Technology. He highlighted that with the establishment of GITEX Nigeria, there is an expectation that GITEX Global will host its technology fair in Nigeria in the future.

Bringing GITEX Global to Nigeria would mean bringing the global experiences of tech conferences to the country. Abdullahi noted that previously, Africa did not have a conference of this nature, but with GITEX Africa now established and thriving, the aim is to replicate this experience in Nigeria. He highlighted Nigeria's status as having the biggest and most vibrant technical ecosystem in Africa, making it an ideal location for hosting such an event.

By bringing GITEX Global to Nigeria, the country will have the opportunity to showcase its tech capabilities, foster innovation, attract investment, and strengthen its position as a leading hub for technology and entrepreneurship on the continent. This initiative aligns with Nigeria's aspirations to drive digital transformation and harness the power of technology to accelerate economic growth and development.

Abdullahi emphasized that GITEX Nigeria would provide the necessary experience and serve as an ideal platform for networking, exchanging ideas, and seizing opportunities for growth. He highlighted the transformative potential of leveraging Information Technology to boost productivity in various sectors, ultimately driving economic growth and development.

"By leveraging IT, we can significantly boost productivity in other sectors, driving economic growth and development," Abdullahi remarked.Trixie LohMirmand, CEO of KAOUN International and Executive Vice President of the Dubai World Trade Centre, who signed on behalf of GITEX Global, expressed optimism about the collaboration.

She stated that the goal of the partnership is to increase the participation of Nigerian startups at GITEX events by exploring opportunities in areas such as AI, Future Finance, and Health. This collaboration underscores the commitment of GITEX Global to supporting the growth and development of Nigeria's tech ecosystem and fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in the country.

LohMirmand remarked on Nigeria's significance as a major market for tech startups and expressed GITEX's keen interest in bringing its unique formula to the country. She emphasized the importance of aligning with Nigeria's economic expectations to create more opportunities for everyone and to further advance technology in the country.

The signing of the MoU signifies a critical step towards integrating Nigeria into the global tech ecosystem. It opens up new avenues for innovation, collaboration, and economic growth by providing Nigerian startups and tech enthusiasts with access to international platforms, resources, and opportunities. This partnership underscores GITEX's commitment to supporting the growth and development of Nigeria's tech sector and contributing to the country's journey towards digital transformation and global competitiveness.