NITDA’s Builders Festival Targets ₦3bn Deals for Nigerian Startups
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has unveiled a ₦3 billion investment and contract pipeline for Nigerian startups through its newly introduced Builders Festival, aimed at connecting local innovators with investors, customers and business opportunities.
The Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, announced the initiative at the Digital Nigeria International Conference and Exhibition in Abuja, describing it as a major intervention to strengthen Nigeria’s startup ecosystem and accelerate the growth of the digital economy.
According to him, the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and ongoing economic reforms designed to create an enabling business environment, attract investments and deepen private-sector participation in national development.
Inuwa explained that the Builders Festival seeks to bridge the gap between innovation and market opportunities by connecting pre-qualified Nigerian startups with more than 100 verified operational challenges submitted by ministries, government agencies, corporate organisations and financial institutions.
He said the three-day festival featured a dedicated Deal Room where startups and prospective clients could engage in business negotiations, explore pilot projects, sign Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and secure investment and contract opportunities.
The NITDA boss noted that beyond mobilising capital, the initiative was designed to address one of the major constraints confronting Nigerian startups: limited access to customers and sustainable markets.
He emphasised the need for public institutions and private organisations to embrace locally developed technology solutions, noting that increased adoption would create opportunities for indigenous startups to expand their operations, generate employment, retain skilled talents and contribute meaningfully to economic growth.
“With Nigerian startups raising $635 million in the first nine months of 2026, the ₦3 billion pipeline further strengthens the country’s position as a leading destination for startup investment in Africa,” he said.
The initiative is also expected to strengthen collaboration between technology entrepreneurs, government institutions and established businesses by ensuring that innovative solutions are matched with actual industry and public-sector needs.
The Builders Festival represents a shift from conventional technology conferences focused largely on discussions and networking to a more practical approach that translates innovation into commercial transactions, partnerships and measurable economic outcomes.
Through the initiative, NITDA is positioning homegrown technology solutions as critical drivers of Nigeria’s development while creating pathways for startups to access markets, attract investment and scale their businesses.
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