The quest for IT stakeholders and startups to collaborate was key aspects of discussion during the week at the NITDA Co-Create West Africa Tech Expo, an event that showcased innovative businesses locally and across the globe with physical presence in Nigeria.
Kicking discussion in one of the keynote address given by the Director General, National Information Technology Development Kashifu Inuwa, the event put together by GAGE Award in partnership with the Agency offer participants opportunity network.
According to Inuwa, both the government and ecosystem need to work together to nurture the younger ones and help them to transform their ideas from conceptualisation to impact.
He said, “We need to help our start-ups to have access to capital for that will enhance their ideas and provide platform for them to network and learn from the ecosystem.
While acknowledging that the Nigerian Start-up Act Implementation is one of the several initiatives under the pillar, the NITDA boss urged the participants to forge a strategic partnership and collaborate to develop the ecosystem.
He said at the event, which has as its theme: ‘Evolve’ that IT stakeholders and tech enthusiasts must join hands with government to build a strong institution which could only be achieved by transforming government’s services into solutions.
He said, “I want to invite you to embrace the spirit of cooperation and collaboration. If you and government can work together, we can do better things; because there are things you can do, government cannot do and there are things government can do, you cannot do, but together, we can do greater things.”
Earlier in his welcome remarks, the convener, GAGE Award, Mr. Johnson Aroh described that the NITDA Co-Create West Africa is more than just a showcase of the latest technological concepts that exist in the ecosystem but a platform that fosters creativity, drives digital transformation and builds the ecosystem where ideas flourish.
He stated that the conference would offers a rare privilege of experiencing first-hand cutting-edge solutions and groundbreaking projects that embody the spirit of technological excellence and ingenuity.
He said, “Let us embrace the diversity of perspectives and expertise that enrich our collective understanding of technology transformative power. Together, we can chart the course toward the future of technology as a force for driving positive change and empowering individuals and communities across Africa.
While commending NITDA the leadership of NITDA for its vision in co-creating the event, Aina said the Agency’s unwavering commitment to promoting technological innovation and digital inclusion have been instrumental to the level the nation has attained today.
