The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has announced a ₦3 billion investment and contract opportunities for Nigerian startups.
Kashifu Abdullahi Inuwa, director-general of NITDA made the disclosure at the Digital Nigeria International Conference and Exhibition in Abuja.
Abdullahi said the programme led by NITDA under the Builders Festival is designed to connect local technology companies with investors, government institutions and major businesses seeking solutions to operational challenges.
He described the initiative as an effort to move Nigeria’s startup ecosystem beyond networking and innovation showcases towards actual business deals, investment and commercial partnerships.
The Builders Festival targets more than ₦3 billion in investment and contract opportunities by matching pre-qualified Nigerian startups with over 100 verified operational challenges submitted by government ministries, agencies, corporate organisations and financial institutions.
According to Inuwa, the programme aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the administration’s economic reforms aimed at improving the business environment, attracting investment and increasing private-sector participation in national development.
Inuwa said the initiative was intended to encourage greater adoption of locally developed technology, giving Nigerian startups a better opportunity to compete, expand their operations and build commercially viable products.
He noted that access to customers remained a major obstacle for many startups, even when they had developed solutions capable of addressing real problems in the public and private sectors.
Highlighting the country’s growing startup investment activity, Inuwa said: “With Nigerian startups raising $635 million in the first nine months of 2026, the ₦3 billion pipeline further strengthens the country’s position as a leading destination for startup investment in Africa.”