Scheduled for July 29–30 at the Landmark Event Centre in Lagos, the event will run under the theme “Leveraging Technology for Innovation and Development in Africa.” It is expected to attract industry leaders, policymakers, startups, and investors eager to explore how digital technologies can drive sustainable growth across the continent.

NITDA Director General Aminu Maida and the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, are among key government figures expected to speak at the Expo. Organisers say the programme will feature policy conversations, panel discussions, exhibitions, and live startup pitch sessions showcasing local founders working on solutions for African markets.

According to the LCCI, the annual ICTEL Expo has become a critical platform for fostering public-private dialogue on the future of technology and economic development in Nigeria and West Africa. This year’s edition will focus heavily on data privacy and AI ethics — hot topics as the country accelerates adoption of emerging technologies.

“Technology has proven to be one of the biggest drivers of economic development. We believe that conversations at ICTEL Expo 2025 will help deepen collaboration, inspire new ideas and build capacity for innovation across sectors,” said LCCI’s Director General Chinyere Almona.

Startups and SMEs are expected to play a prominent role in the Expo, with dedicated sessions to connect entrepreneurs with investors and policy enablers. Tech Digest understands that several homegrown ventures working on AI-enabled solutions for finance, agriculture and clean energy have been shortlisted to pitch.

The ICTEL Expo comes as Nigeria’s digital economy strategy shifts towards building resilient digital infrastructure and regulatory frameworks to tackle challenges such as cyber threats and data misuse. Stakeholders say the event will provide an opportunity for cross-sector partnerships to strengthen Nigeria’s position as a regional tech hub.

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The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has announced plans to launch a new digital solution called the FIRS e-Invoice, aimed at improving tax administration and compliance across Nigeria.

This was disclosed by the FIRS Executive Chairman, Dr. Zacchaeus Adedeji, during the “Emerging Tax Matters” stakeholders’ engagement hosted by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) in collaboration with FIRS.

Speaking through Mrs. Oti Olaniyi, Acting Director of the Medium Taxpayers Department, Adedeji explained that the e-Invoice initiative aligns with the Tax Administration and Enforcement Act of 2007 and is part of FIRS’ ongoing digital transformation strategy.

The system is expected to facilitate real-time validation and storage of transactions across business-to-business (B2B), business-to-consumer (B2C), and business-to-government (B2G) transactions.An e-invoice is a digital document exchanged between a buyer and a supplier, allowing for automatic processing throughout its lifecycle.

The introduction of this system marks a significant step towards modernizing Nigeria’s tax infrastructure, ensuring greater efficiency, transparency, and compliance.

Adedeji highlighted the importance of leveraging technology to tackle the challenges and opportunities in the evolving tax landscape.

“Our collective efforts will pave the way for a more prosperous and resilient Nigeria,” he said, urging stakeholders to support the initiative through constructive feedback and collaboration.

The FIRS Chairman also addressed recent restructuring within the agency and the implementation of various tax reforms designed to promote sustainable growth and equitable development.

Among these reforms are tax incentives aimed at boosting local industries and fostering transparency.A major challenge for the tax agency remains the informal sector, which accounts for a large portion of Nigeria’s economy. To better engage with this sector, Adedeji revealed plans to introduce simplified tax regimes and registration incentives to encourage small and micro-businesses to participate in the formal tax system.

LCCI President, Mr. Gabriel Idahosa, praised FIRS for its ongoing reforms and emphasized the need for stronger collaboration between the government and the private sector.

He acknowledged that Nigeria’s tax system has undergone significant transformations to boost revenue and simplify compliance, noting FIRS’ ambitious target to increase tax collection by 57%, aiming for N19.4 trillion in 2024.

Nigeria’s current tax-to-GDP ratio stands at 10.86%, with a target to increase it to 18% within the next three years.

Idahosa stressed the importance of coordinated efforts to achieve this goal, recommending that tax policies support business innovation and remove barriers to foreign currency-denominated transactions to foster a more robust investment environment.

He further emphasized the critical need for trust between the government and citizens, stating, “For these reforms to succeed, businesses and citizens must embrace a culture of tax compliance.

”Meanwhile, TechDigest reported that FIRS failed to meet its approved revenue target for the first four months of 2024. While the agency was expected to collect N3.32 trillion from oil taxes, it recorded only N1.63 trillion, representing 49% of the target.

Despite missing the mark, FIRS maintains an internal goal of N7.5 trillion in tax revenue for the entire year.With the introduction of the e-Invoice system and ongoing reforms, FIRS hopes to overcome these challenges and achieve its broader revenue collection targets.

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TECHDIGEST – For enhanced productivity and sustainability, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Prof Umar Danbatta, has advised businesses to adjust to the potentials of disruptive technologies which have been adopted across the globe.

Danbatta gave the advice to the industry leaders and Information and Communication Technology, ICT, innovators, who gathered at the 2023 edition of the Information, Communication, Technology and Telecommunications, ICTEL, expo organised by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, in Lagos.

Danbatta, who was represented by the Director of Consumer Affairs Bureau at the Commission, Mr. Alkasim Umar, said technology has always played a significant role in shaping the world people live in. He, however, said that in recent years, advancements have accelerated at an unprecedented rate.

The NCC helmsman said as the world grapples with the 4th Industrial Revolution driven by the Internet, advancements in many facets of ICTs are fundamentally changing all aspects of people’s lives and reshaping economic, social and cultural paradigms across the world.

He listed such disruptive technologies to include Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Internet of Things (IoT), Blockchain Technology, Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), Fifth Generation (5G) and other emerging technologies which have demonstrated the potential of transforming industries and business models.

“Today, we find ourselves amid a digital revolution, where the boundaries between physical and virtual worlds are blurring. So, as we navigate the era of tech disruptions, it is crucial for businesses to embrace innovation and adapt to the changing landscape. Companies that are agile and willing to experiment with these emerging technologies will gain a competitive advantage in their respective industries,” Danbatta said.

The NCC CEO further assured that the NCC’s strategic management plan represents the Commission’s commitment to leveraging technology and innovation to transform industries and drive positive change. “By embracing tech disruption, we are empowering individuals, businesses, and communities to thrive in the digital age. Together, let us build a Nigeria where technology is a catalyst for inclusive growth, innovation flourishes, and the benefits of connectivity reach every Nigerian,” the EVC said.

President of LCCI, Dr. Michael Olawale-Cole, who appreciated the Commission’s efforts in providing a predictable telecom regulatory environment, noted that the theme of this year’s edition of the ICTEL Expo had been carefully chosen considering the far-reaching impact disruptive technologies are having on businesses around the world.

NCC’s Zonal Controller, Lagos, Engr. Yomi Arowosafe, who was part of the team to the well-attended ICT Expo, received an LCCI Appreciation Award.

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TECHDIGEST – The Nigeria’s tech innovators have been charged to employ the use of technology as a source of inspiration in their quest to disrupt businesses as the three capabilities they needed to achieve the feats are now readily available.

Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), handed down this advice today in Lagos where he delivered a keynote speech at the 19th edition of ICTEL Expo organised by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry with the theme “Tech Disruption: Transforming Industries with Innovation”.

He said, the combination of ubiquitous data, unlimited connectivity and the massive processing power could give tech innovators the leverage to disrupt anything they can think of.

While making the distinction between innovation and invention, the NITDA’s boss explained that innovation is a process from ideation to impact but invention is all about research that which may not necessarily being commercialised.

READ ALSO: GTA Summit: Nigeria to play pivotal roles in upscaling African tech ecosystem

He said, “You spend money for research. You spend money to come up with new things while innovation makes money. So innovation is invention and commercialisation.”

“As start-ups, you need to be able to pitch your product for a new company; for people to use it to solve problems. That’s why we have you, the startups; we have you with ideas. You need to come and disrupt. You need to use technology as a source of inspiration to disrupt businesses,” he reiterated.

While citing the success story of the Flutterwave, a FinTech company that now has a bigger capital base than some commercial banks; Inuwa maintained that the company saw a big gap and decided to fill with using technological solutions that connect business-to-business transactions. “So, you too can see the power of technology; is not happening only in the developed western countries. Even in Nigeria, you can start your business, use technology to grow it.”

He stated that, “so looking at all these and how you can transform it, what we normally encourage startup to do is focus about the solution. It is not about the money. If you have solutions, the money will come. So don’t focus about the money. Don’t follow the money. Follow the solutions. The money will follow you. So, look at what kind of problem you want to solve.”

While encouraging them to think big as they think about the solution they want to provide, the Director General affirmed that with the mindset they have to solve local problem, it can be expanded to solve a global issues.

“That is the difference between just normal Small and Medium Enterprises and you. We call you startups because you use the power of technology to build your business and become Innovation-Driven Enterprises, (IDEs). This implies that you start small; how can you solve a local problem but with the mindset of taking it to the global stage. Technology can help you to do that. You don’t need to have a physical space to do that.

Inuwa disclosed that the startups could leverage on the several initiatives of the government to attain greater height in their exploits.

“We have so many initiatives that can help you to achieve that. When the government formulated the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy, (NDEPS) at NITDA, we crafted our Strategic Roadmap Action Plan, (SRAP) with seven strategic pillars that could spur technological innovation development in Nigeria.

He advised the participants to get ready for future of work as there is going to be talent deficits because of the aging population the western world is witnessing which Nigeria can fill because of the abundant talent and youthful population the country is blessed with, adding that “we have abundant talent; it’s just for us to harness that talent.“

According to Inuwa, the Federal Government through NITDA is embarking on several initiatives to bridge the skill gap in the country noting that the government has conducted a skill gap analysis to determine the kind of competencies required to build the country. It is also working on the Digital Literacy Framework which would soon be signed, and Talent Hunt Strategy.

The event is attended by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Williams Allo, The Managing Director, Galaxy Backbone, Prof. Muhammed Abubakar, some members of the National Communications Commission management board and the executive of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, (LCCI),

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TECHDIGEST – The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has sought the collaboration of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for the successful execution of the EXPO on the theme: “Ensuring Efficient Digital Infrastructure in Nigeria.”

This was the focus of the discussion between the two organisations, during a courtesy visit by delegates from LCCI to the Commission in Abuja recently.

READ ALSO: NITDA Inaugurates Taskforce On Domain Name Compliance Policy

Speaking during the visit, which took place at NCC’s Head Office (Annex) Mbora, Abuja, Seriki Oyediran, the Director, Trade Promotions, LCCI, said that the objective of the visitation was to discuss with the Management of NCC toward achieving the objectives of the 8th Edition of the ICTEL Expo.

Oyediran acknowledged that the participation of NCC at the annual trade fair in previous years has added colour, focus and clarity, and ensured the success of previous events.

He, therefore, called on the Commission to partner with the Chamber to enable it to record greater success in the ICTEL 2022 edition.

Responding, Director, Digital Economy, Dr. Austin Nwaulune, who received the delegation on behalf of the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, applauded LCCI for its consistency in organising the annual confernce.

Nwaulune stated that the theme of this year’s conference aligns with the Commission’s focus on facilitating infrastructural development and deployment to enhance socio-economic development of Nigeria.

Demonstrating the connection between the thematic focus of the conference and NCC mandates and activities, Nwaulune explained that, through the NCC, the Federal Government has established various policies such as the Nigerian National Broadband Plan (2020-2025), which is being vigorously implemented to improve broadband infrastructure across the country.

The Director Digital Economy Department at the Commission, also recalled efforts of the Commission in ensuring that the seven Infrastructure Companies (InfraCos) already licensed by the telecom regulator accelerated their infrastructure deployment across the six geo-political zones of the country.

The Director commended the organisers for the calibre of sponsors listed for the expo and asserted that the event will be a hub for stakeholders such as Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), InfraCos and international organisations, and offer them the opportunity to glean developments in the country and to deepen their interests in promoting innovation, competition.

In his comments, Efosa Idehen, the NCC Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau, explained that the Commission has evidently adopted an open-door policy and particularly through its consumer-centric initiatives.

He also emphasised that the Commission appreciates collaboration with stakeholders whose programmes allow consumers to interact with the service providers.

“The NCC prioritises the consumers. We therefore see this forthcoming expo as another opportunity for the consumer’s voice to be heard as they interface with service providers. This is based on our regulatory mandate of ensuring that consumers of telecommunications services get value for their money and are treated right as critical stakeholders in the telecom ecosystem,”

Idehen stated to reiterate NCC’s commitment to the promotion, protection and defence of the interests of telecom consumers.

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