NITDA, NACCIMA Partner to Unlock Investment, Market Access for Nigerian Tech Startups

NITDA, NACCIMA Partner to Unlock Investment, Market Access for Nigerian Tech Startups

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) have partnered to attract private-sector investment, expand market access and accelerate the growth of Nigerian technology startups and digital enterprises.

The partnership will connect indigenous technology innovators with corporate investors, commercial buyers and business opportunities through NACCIMA’s network of more than 120 city, state and bilateral chambers of commerce.

Under the arrangement, NACCIMA will serve as an investment pipeline and commercial off-take facilitator for NITDA-backed startups, technology ventures and enterprise financing initiatives.

The collaboration, announced in a joint statement signed by NITDA’s Director of Corporate Communications, Mrs Hadiza Umar, and NACCIMA Digital Economy Coordinator and Chairman of its Digital Economy Trade Group, Dr Segun H. Olugbile, is designed to bridge the gap between technology development and market demand.

The initiative will focus on sectors including manufacturing, agriculture, logistics, mining, trade and services, leveraging the organised private sector to promote the adoption of locally developed digital solutions.

The partnership follows the execution of a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and the alignment of a joint technical working group co-chaired by Dr Aristotle Onumo, NITDA’s Director of Special Duties, and Olugbile.

The two organisations have identified three priority initiatives to strengthen investment opportunities, accelerate digital technology adoption among businesses and improve trust in Nigeria’s digital economy.

A major component is NACCIMA’s planned mobilisation of private-sector participation in the Digital Nigeria International Conference and Exhibition (DNICE) 2026, scheduled to hold in Abuja from November 10 to 12.

As part of the initiative, NACCIMA will organise business-to-business (B2B) deal rooms, mobilise corporate investors and venture capital firms, participate in startup evaluation juries and connect technology startups with potential corporate buyers.

The deal rooms are expected to provide opportunities for innovators to showcase their products, engage prospective investors and establish commercial relationships with established businesses.

Speaking on the partnership, NITDA Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, said combining government policy leadership with private-sector commercial demand would stimulate growth across the country’s digital ecosystem.

“Combining government policy leadership with the active commercial demand of the organised private sector creates an unprecedented growth engine for Nigeria’s digital ecosystem,” Inuwa said.

He added that the collaboration would help indigenous startups gain access to corporate buyers, domestic capital and sustainable commercial opportunities through NACCIMA’s extensive business network.

Another major component is a national enterprise accelerator programme targeting 10,000 micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The programme will provide participating businesses with practical artificial intelligence tools, digital skills, financial readiness support and improved access to markets.

According to the organisations, the initiative is intended to help small businesses improve operational efficiency, strengthen competitiveness and explore new revenue opportunities while preparing them to engage more effectively with investors and commercial partners.

The third initiative is a proposed digital trust mark platform that will onboard verified businesses and promote compliance with data protection and cybersecurity standards.

The platform is expected to support compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, strengthen cybersecurity readiness and build confidence in digital transactions.

It will also promote digital trust across regional trade corridors, including those operating under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), by encouraging business verification and improved compliance practices.

The National President of NACCIMA, Engr. Dr Jani Ibrahim, described the partnership as an opportunity to place Nigerian commerce and industry at the forefront of technology adoption.

He said the association was committed to serving as a major commercial off-take and investment pipeline for startups supported by NITDA.

According to Ibrahim, connecting traditional industries such as agriculture, manufacturing, trade and mining with innovative digital solutions and technical talent would improve enterprise productivity and strengthen Nigeria’s economic resilience.

To coordinate implementation, the two organisations have deployed a joint technical working group comprising senior officials from both institutions.

The group is finalising the enterprise pipeline, B2B deal-room structures and launch arrangements ahead of the planned formal unveiling at DNICE 2026.

NITDA and NACCIMA have invited enterprises, corporate investors, technology vendors and startups interested in the deal rooms or the 10,000-MSME AI Enterprise Accelerator to follow registration updates through NACCIMA’s Digital Economy Desk and NITDA’s official portals.

NITDA is responsible for promoting information technology development, standardisation and digital transformation in Nigeria, while NACCIMA represents chambers of commerce, business associations and corporate enterprises across the country.

The organizations said the partnership would strengthen public-private collaboration by linking digital innovation with investment, enterprise development and commercial opportunities, with the broader goal of helping Nigerian startups and businesses compete more effectively in domestic and international markets.