The National Information Technology Development Agency has reaffirmed its commitment to building a coordinated and inclusive digital ecosystem, as Angola moves to understudy Nigeria’s startup ecosystem framework and digital economy strategy.
The development was highlighted during a working visit involving a delegation from Angola’s National Institute of Support for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, also known as INAPEM, which visited NITDA to study the implementation of Nigeria’s startup ecosystem policies.
During the visit, the Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, represented by the Director of Stakeholders Management and Partnerships, Aristotle Onumo, said the agency was established to drive coordinated and sustainable information technology development in Nigeria.
According to him, NITDA serves as an ecosystem orchestrator by promoting collaboration, innovation and growth across Nigeria’s digital economy.
He noted that the agency’s reforms align with the Federal Government’s Eight-Point Agenda and are reflected in NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0), which is structured around eight strategic pillars aimed at accelerating digital economy growth.
Inuwa said one of the major objectives of the roadmap is to position Nigeria as a technologically driven nation capable of promoting inclusive economic development through innovation.
He identified digital literacy as a key priority area, disclosing that NITDA is targeting 70 per cent digital literacy by 2027 under the National Digital Literacy Framework, with a longer-term target of 95 per cent by 2030.
Other focus areas highlighted by the agency include ecosystem development, IT talent advancement, digital infrastructure expansion, policy implementation and research-driven innovation.
Speaking during the visit, the Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of INAPEM, Bráulio Augusto, commended Nigeria’s progress in implementing the Nigeria Startup Act and described the country as a valuable model for Angola’s emerging startup ecosystem.
Augusto disclosed that Angola’s Startup Law had already received initial parliamentary approval and was entering the implementation phase.
He said Angola was particularly interested in understanding how Nigeria transitioned from legal adoption to practical implementation, especially in areas such as startup labelling, incentive management, investor registration, ecosystem mapping and the operation of the Nigeria Startup Portal.
According to him, Angola is currently developing the Startup Angola Programme under its Digital Entrepreneurship Support Programme to establish a structured and integrated startup ecosystem.
He explained that the programme would focus on institutional strengthening, startup financing, support for business development service providers, expansion of innovation hubs and partnerships with international accelerators.
Augusto added that Nigeria’s experience is especially relevant as Angola seeks solutions to challenges including youth unemployment, limited access to finance, informality, digital inclusion gaps and restricted market access for small and medium-sized enterprises.
He also requested additional technical insights into the governance structure and operations of Nigeria’s National Startup Council and the Nigeria Startup Portal.
The visit underscores growing collaboration among African countries on digital policy development and reinforces Nigeria’s position as a leading reference point in shaping startup ecosystem frameworks across the continent.
