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In a groundbreaking move to position Nigeria as Africa’s next major technology hub, the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has announced its strategic partnership with KAOUN International to host GITEX, one of the world’s largest and most influential tech expos, in Nigeria for the first time.
RELATED: Lagos State prepares to host GITEX NIGERIA 2025, set to drive innovation and AI adoption
The announcement was made during the inauguration of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) in Abuja, with representatives from key public and private sector stakeholders, signaling a strong national commitment to delivering a world-class tech experience.
GITEX Nigeria 2025: A Pan-African Tech Showcase
Scheduled to take place from September 1–4, 2025, GITEX Nigeria will be hosted across Abuja and Lagos, under the theme “Forging the Rise of Digital Nigeria.” The event is projected to attract:
- 1,000+ startups
- 100+ global and local investors
- 20,000+ attendees, including innovators, policymakers, tech leaders, and entrepreneurs
This landmark event marks the first-ever GITEX footprint in West Africa, following its successful expansion to North Africa via Morocco.
Two-City Format: Abuja for Government & Policy, Lagos for Innovation & Investment
The Abuja segment will host high-level government dialogues and an AI Summit. This will bring together heads of ministries, agencies, and global tech CEOs to discuss strategic national projects around digital infrastructure, AI adoption, and public sector innovation.
Meanwhile, Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial nerve center, will serve as the innovation capital, spotlighting the country’s thriving tech ecosystem. Event in Lagos will promote startup visibility, and catalyzing investment opportunities across key sectors including:
- Fintech
- Agritech
- Healthtech
- Edtech
- e-Commerce
- Telecom and Data Infrastructure
NITDA DG: Event Aligns with Tinubu’s 8-Point Digital Agenda
In a statement delivered on his behalf by Mr. Olawumi Oladejo, Director of NITDA’s IT Infrastructure Solutions (ITIS) department, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Director General of NITDA, described the hosting of GITEX Nigeria as a major milestone in achieving Nigeria’s digital economy goals.
“Hosting GITEX will elevate Nigeria’s international standing, boost local businesses, drive tourism, and provide a transformative platform for innovation, partnerships, and investment,” he said.
“This initiative directly supports the implementation of a major pillar of NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2024–2027): Forging Strategic Partnerships and Collaborations.”
Abdullahi emphasized that the event is also aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 8-point digital economy agenda, noting that Nigeria’s successful hosting will position the country to lead digital transformation efforts across Africa.
GITEX Nigeria’s Vision: Elevating Startups to Global Scale
Dr. Aristotle Onumo, Director of Stakeholder Management and Partnerships at NITDA, presented the event’s roadmap, which includes a 3-year goal to elevate at least six Nigerian startups to global prominence.
He said GITEX Nigeria will be anchored on three core pillars:
- Enablement – Providing startups access to tools, platforms, and funding
- Engagement – Connecting stakeholders, investors, and regulators
- Knowledge – Sharing cutting-edge insights across sectors
“Sectors such as Fintech, Healthtech, Agritech, and Data Infrastructure will take center stage. With 78% of participating startups expecting to receive funding, GITEX is poised to be a game-changer for Nigeria’s tech ecosystem,” Onumo stated.
Unlocking New Frontiers for Investment and Innovation
The hosting of GITEX Nigeria 2025 not only reinforces Nigeria’s ambition to become a regional technology powerhouse but also opens up significant opportunities for:
- Foreign direct investment (FDI)
- Tech innovation and R&D
- Startup acceleration
- Digital skills development
- Youth employment through the digital economy
GITEX Nigeria 2025 to redefine Africa’s digital future
With strong presidential backing, NITDA’s leadership, and the support of global partner KAOUN International, GITEX Nigeria 2025 is set to redefine Africa’s digital future, creating a landmark moment for innovation, investment, and economic diversification.
