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By Osas Torti
At GITEX AFRICA 2024 in Marrakech, Morocco, Zamfara State in northwestern Nigeria seized the opportunity to showcase its digital transformation journey, engage with potential partners, and attract investors. Known for its history of banditry and violence, the new administration under Governor Dauda Lawal Dare is working to shift the narrative towards the state’s economic potential in agriculture, solid mineral mining, and technological innovation.
Held from May 29 to 31 across a 45,000 sqm exhibition space, GITEX AFRICA featured 10 conference tracks and over 140 hours of content focused on advancing Africa’s digital transformation.
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Topics included generative AI, digital cities, fintech, agritech, healthcare, energy, innovation, sustainable development goals, and the dynamic startup ecosystem. Major tech players such as Oracle, Microsoft, HP, and Amazon’s AWS unveiled new solutions tailored for the African market.
Zamfara highlights readiness to embrace tech advancements and investments
Led by Prof. Abubakar Habibu Gajam, Executive Secretary of the Zamfara Innovation, Technology, and Digital Economy Development Agency (ZITDA), the Zamfara delegation highlighted the state’s readiness to embrace technological advancements and attract global investments. Gajam, representing Governor Dare, addressed a global audience on the Main Stage about Zamfara’s digital transformation efforts.
“I had the pleasure of delivering a keynote speech on Zamfara’s Digital Transformation Journey on behalf of H.E Governor Dauda Lawal Dare. We shared our progress in building digital infrastructure, implementing e-governance, and developing ICT human capital to stimulate our digital economy,” Gajam said.
Gajam also led discussions on investment opportunities in agriculture, mining, transportation, technology, and innovation. “We are excited about the fruitful outcomes these engagements will bring,” he added.
Zamfara is actively seeking partners to remodel its economy, improve agriculture through technology, and build capacity among its youth for the 21st-century digital economy. The delegation included startups like ZamTracka, Techiva, and Hariscope, which showcased their innovations for the first time.
“This reinforces our resolve to support technology and innovation, providing an enabling platform for our startups to thrive,” Gajam noted.
Composition of delegation reflects commitment to empowering the youth
“The composition of our delegation, mostly below the age of 40, reflects the governor’s commitment to empowering the youth.”
With a population in excess of 9.3 million according to the 2021 national Census figure, Zamfara is seeking new investment windows, said Muktar Garba Madama of the Zamfara State Investment Promotion Agency while emphasizing the state’s goal to attract new investments to build its local economy.
Abdulmalik Gajam, Commissioner for Budget & Economic Planning and Chairman of the Zamfara State Economic Planning Board, echoed this sentiment.
“We cannot allow Zamfara to be isolated on the national or international stage. We need to harness opportunities from the global space in financing, technology, policies, and innovation,” he said.
Nigeria had a robust presence at GITEX AFRICA 2024, including delegations led by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa; the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi; Lagos State Commissioner of Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi; and Kaduna State’s SSA ICT, Shuaibu Kabiru Bello. Over 100 startups from across Nigeria also participated, demonstrating the country’s commitment to digital innovation and growth.
