Nigeria Leveraging GITEX 2021 To Enhance Digital Economy As NITDA Inaugurates LOC

Nigeria Leveraging GITEX 2021 To Enhance Digital Economy As NITDA Inaugurates LOC

TECHDIGEST – The Nigerian government will be leveraging its participation at the Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (GITEX) 2021 to further explore global partnership for the country’s shift to digital economy and support for its thriving startup ecosystem.

The Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, expressed this position this Thursday in Abuja while officially inaugurating the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for GITEX 2021.

GITEX, an annual ICT trade show organised by the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), UAE, is one of the world’s most important technology and innovation gatherings attracting over 184, 000 trade visitors and more than 9000 exhibitors from over 90 countries.

This year’s GITEX, the 41st edition, is holding October 17-21. The 2021 GITEX is anchored on post pandemic recovery worldwide and will showcase the latest in AI, 5G, Cloud, Big Data, Cybersecurity, Blockchain, Quantum Computing, Immersive Marketing and Fintech.

In the last 41 years, GITEX has become the largest government presence of any tech show. It is “where world-redefining public-private partnerships take shape. The only event to engage with over 200 government entities in pursuit of a tech-prevalent future.”

GITEX 2021 is a ‘Five-in-One’ experience as it is incorporating five major events into a single GITEX Technology Week. The events include AI Conference; Global Future Starts (GFS); Future Blockchain Summit; Fintech Surge and Marketing Mania.

Also, this year, the DWTC is celebrating the 41st GITEX and the Golden Jubilee of the UAE with the launch of the GITEX Global Visions, the first ever event programme enabling the tech visions of Middle East and Africa.

The GITEX Global Visions marks the UAE’s Golden Jubilee and will serve to mobilize the inspiring tech visions, initiatives and collaborations of government leaderships across the Middle East and African continent.

Nigeria is listed to exclusively have its government & leadership share with the rest of the world, Nigeria’s vision of a digital economy in the next decade and beyond  And its plans for global collaborations and offshore investments

The GITEX 2021 LOC comprises of representatives from relevant ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), including the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and NIGCOMSAT as well as the private sector.

Mallam Abdullahi charged the LOC members to be innovative and explore new ways of ensuring that the event supersedes those of previous editions.

Startups pitching for funds and glory
NITDA has announced sponsorship for startups to participate at the GITEX GFS. NITDA is targeting applications from innovative technology-driven startups with solutions addressing any of these specified problems’ areas:

• Fifth-generation wireless technology (5G);
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Augmented Analytics;
• Transportation;
• Digital Economies;
• Cyber Security and Resilience;
• Cloud and Edge computing; and
• Blockchain technology.

At GITEX 2021, Nigerian startups will be exploring networking opportunities with more than 400 investors and pitching their ideas across a bunch of

exciting competitions including the primal Innovation Cups with investment inflow in excess of USD150, 000.

GITEX 2021 is holding within the framework of the new normal guided by strict COVID-19 protocols for over 100, 000 exhibitors and delegates from more than 140 countries expected at the five-day event. GITEX 2021 is expected to reinforce post pandemic recovery, explore opportunities and challenges beyond COVID-19.

Deputy Director, Corporate Planning and Strategy, Dr Aristotle Onumo who is also the chairman of the LOC, assured the Director General of the committee’s commitment to ensure a hitch free and result-yielding participation.

“Pinnacle International Consulting, LLC, GITEX Sole representative for Nigeria and West Africa, with its local component Pinnacle Global Business Services Ltd is helping to facilitate Nigeria’s participation through the NITDA and expand the portfolio of opportunities to Nigeria’s public and private sector ICT stakeholders,” said Pinnacle’s Olusegun Oruame at the LOC inauguration in Abuja