By Na’ankwat Dariem.
The Director of National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, has applauded the tech ecosystem in Nigeria for building the most investment in Africa by attracting over 1.5B USD representing 35% of total investment in Africa in 2021.
Inuwa stated this during the Nigerian Innovation Ecosystem Engagement, which held virtually.
Speaking on the achievement so far by the tech ecosystem in Nigeria , he said , “It is amazing that you have succeeded in building the most investment appealing ecosystem in Africa, attracting over 1.5B USD representing 35% of total investment in Africa in 2021.
“This is unprecedented, but for me, there is no passion playing small and settling for leading only in Africa if we can compete globally. We have the talent, passion and energy to be reckoned with globally. I believe we can, but how? It is simple, to win in the global market, we must first win in building,” he stated.
The Director General disclosed that NITDA is rebranding and recalibrating to reimagine its place in the ecosystem.
“We believe we cannot succeed in isolation. You need the government and the government needs you. Government can do things you cannot and you can do things the government cannot. But together we can do great things. Together we can redefine, create and shape our tomorrow”, he noted.
While sharing his experience with stakeholders on how he started a cross-border payment platform, he said, ”I will never forget when my friends and I built a cross border payment platform using bitcoin in 2013. The platform was successfully tested and remitted over 130 million Naira from the UK within a month.
“But we failed to take the product to market because of the same challenge some of you face today”
Inuwa, who said he started his startup during his second year in the University disclosed that,”Like many of you, I was brought up believing that success means starting, growing, and taking my startup to the global market. I started very early when I was in 200 level. I perfectly understand how rough the journey is. I know how important it is to have enabling policies and infrastructure and how painful it is to fail,” Inuwa explained.
According to the NITDA Boss, his experience has made him dogged about getting the startup to be successful in Nigeria, saying that “I took it upon myself as a clarion call to use this opportunity to make my home industry a better place because I am coming back home after my public service”.
