GITEX Africa 2025: NITDA DG urges global investors to back youth-led tech boom

By Blessing EmmanuelThe Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, has called on international investors to seize the opportunity presented by Nigeria’s fast-expanding digital economy, underpinned by a youthful population and a dynamic entrepreneurial culture.Speaking at the GITEX Africa 2025 Breakfast Meeting in Marrakech, Morocco, Inuwa underscored the country’s most significant resource: its people. With more than 70 percent of Nigeria’s population under the age of 25, he described the nation as a vibrant breeding ground for technological talent primed to lead the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

“Our youth are not just consuming technology; they are creating it,” Inuwa stated. “Nigeria is where innovation intersects with opportunity. We are crafting a future where young people are at the forefront of transforming the digital economy.



”He explained that the federal government is committing substantial resources to strengthening digital infrastructure, reforming education, and expanding the adoption of cloud technologies—all with the aim of asserting Nigeria’s digital independence and positioning homegrown innovations on the global stage.This ambitious roadmap aligns with the upcoming GITEX Nigeria 2025 conference, set to take place from 1 to 4 September in Abuja and Lagos. The Abuja segment will focus on policy discussions and investor-centric reforms, while Lagos—widely regarded as Africa’s startup hub—will showcase the nation’s burgeoning tech ecosystem and innovation pipeline.

Backing Inuwa’s comments, key industry leaders voiced their support for Nigeria’s digital trajectory. Zoho’s Sales Director, Vijayaragavan Venugopal, praised Nigeria as a central figure in the company’s African success story.“We are honoured to collaborate with GITEX Nigeria.

It serves as a vital space for fostering connections, strategic alliances, and long-term growth,” Venugopal remarked.Adding her perspective, Olu Olufemi White, CEO of Alami Capital, stressed the urgency of investing in startups that deliver real-world impact. She encouraged stakeholders to engage early rather than wait for external validation.

“Don’t wait for the world to narrate our story. Join us now, and let’s shape the Nigeria we all aspire to see,” she urged.The post GITEX Africa 2025: NITDA DG urges global investors to back youth-led tech boom appeared first on Nigerian NewsDirect.

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