NITDA Identifies Infrastructure, Skilled Talent As Drivers Of Startup Growth
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
The National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA has said that improving digital infrastructure remains critical to unlocking investment opportunities and sustaining the growth of Nigeria’s startup ecosystem.
The agency stated this during the Africa Fintech Foundry Ecosystem Roundtable 7.0 held virtually under the theme, “The Capital Reset: What Technologies Are Still Fundable in Africa?”
Representing the Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, the Special Assistant on Digital Transformation to the DG, Muhammad Aminu, said investors now favour startup environments backed by reliable digital infrastructure and stable policy directions.
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Aminu explained that digital infrastructure goes beyond internet penetration, noting that it also covers cloud computing systems, digital identity frameworks, payment systems, interoperability standards, cybersecurity structures, data exchange platforms, and emerging artificial intelligence technologies.
According to him, the availability of these systems reduces the burden on startup founders by enabling them to focus more on innovation, scaling, and market expansion instead of investing heavily in foundational infrastructure.
He noted that strong digital infrastructure also reduces operational uncertainty, lowers business risks, and improves scalability, making startups more appealing to both domestic and international investors.
The NITDA official disclosed that the Federal Government was implementing several initiatives aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s digital economy, including sovereign cloud projects, cloud adoption policies, cybersecurity reforms, data governance frameworks, and the implementation of the Nigeria Startup Act.
He further emphasised the importance of policy consistency and regulatory clarity, describing both as major factors influencing investor confidence within the technology sector.
Aminu also outlined the agency’s commitment to human capital development through the 3 Million Technical Talent, 3MTT programme, saying the development of skilled manpower was essential to building a sustainable digital economy.
He maintained that a functional and well-coordinated digital infrastructure framework would lower the cost of innovation, encourage investment inflow, and position Nigeria’s startup ecosystem for long-term growth.
