Angola Eyes NITDA Model For Startup Law Implementation
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Angola Eyes NITDA Model For Startup Law Implementation
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
Angola has expressed interest in adopting the model deployed by National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA for the implementation of startup-focused policies, as the Southern African country advances plans to operationalise its newly approved Startup Law.
This formed part of discussions during a working visit centred on Nigeria’s startup ecosystem framework, where the Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, was represented by the agency’s Director of Stakeholders Management and Partnerships, Dr Aristotle Onumo.
Speaking during the engagement, Inuwa said NITDA remained committed to building a coordinated and inclusive digital ecosystem capable of driving innovation, investment, and sustainable economic growth.
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He stated that the agency was established to promote coordinated information technology development in Nigeria through both regulatory and developmental mandates, while also serving as an ecosystem orchestrator that encourages collaboration across the digital economy.
According to him, NITDA’s reforms are aligned with the Federal Government’s Eight-Point Agenda and reflected in the agency’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan 2.0, which is designed around eight strategic pillars to accelerate digital transformation.
The NITDA boss noted that one of the key priorities under the roadmap is digital literacy, with the agency targeting 70 per cent digital literacy by 2027 under the National Digital Literacy Framework and 95 per cent by 2030.
He added that the agency is also prioritising ecosystem development, digital infrastructure expansion, IT talent advancement, policy implementation, and research-driven innovation.
The visiting delegation from National Institute of Support for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises was led by its Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer, Bráulio Augusto.
Speaking during the visit, Augusto commended Nigeria’s implementation of the Nigeria Startup Act and described the country as a strategic reference point for Angola’s startup ecosystem development.
He disclosed that Angola’s Startup Law had received initial parliamentary approval and was now entering the implementation stage.
According to him, Angola is seeking to understudy how Nigeria transitioned from policy adoption to practical implementation, particularly in areas such as startup labelling, investor registration, ecosystem mapping, incentive administration, and the management of the Nigeria Startup Portal.
He explained that Angola is currently developing the Startup Angola Programme under its Digital Entrepreneurship Support Programme to create a structured and integrated startup ecosystem.
The programme, he said, would focus on institutional strengthening, startup financing, support for business development service providers, expansion of innovation hubs, and partnerships with international accelerators.
Augusto further noted that Nigeria’s experience would help Angola address challenges including youth unemployment, limited access to finance, informality, digital inclusion gaps, and restricted market access for small and medium-sized enterprises.
He also requested additional technical insights into the structure of Nigeria’s National Startup Council, including its governance model and member selection process.
