By Global tech event, Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (GITEX) for the first time will be hosted in Nigeria, a deal that came through in a partnership between the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and KAOUN International.
A statement released after the inauguration of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) which comprises representatives from key public and private sector stakeholders, stated that the event underscores a unified national effort to deliver a world-class tech conference on Nigerian soil.
This maiden edition of the event which is themed “Forging the Rise of Digital Nigeria” is expected to have not less than 1000 startups, over 100 investors and an attendance of over 20,000 participants which would be held in Abuja and Lagos between 1st and 4th of September 2025.
GITEX Nigeria is set to bring together global tech leaders, innovators, investors, startups, and policy makers, opening up new avenues for collaboration, investment, and technological exchange.
The event in Abuja will witness government leadership and AI summit to unite government leaders and global tech executives to drive national projects, including digital infrastructure expansion, AI adoption and public sector innovation while in Lagos, which is the commercial hub of the country, GITEX aims to spotlight the nation’s tech ecosystem, promoting startups, attracting investment, growth driving multi-sector economic diversification to a global audience.
Speaking at the event, the Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa who was represented by the Director of the ITIS department, Mr Olawumi Oladejo, expressed his gratitude and enthusiasm for the milestone achievement and thanked everyone for all the effort they have been putting into the actualisation of the great event in Nigeria.
He emphasized the potential impact of hosting such a prestigious event, stating that it would not only elevate Nigeria’s international profile but also boost local businesses, drive tourism, and provide a platform for innovation and partnerships.
Inuwa said that Nigeria’s hosting of the event will mark its first footprint in West Africa.
While assuring the stakeholders of presidential backing for the initiative, the DG concluded that “if we can successfully host this, it will open the door for Nigeria to lead digital transformation efforts across the region.”
In his presentation on the overview of the GITEX Nigeria preparations, the Director of the Stakeholder Management and Partnerships department, Dr Aristotle Onumo stated that the vision of the event is to elevate 6 local startups to global standards in three years.
He added that the event which will be anchored on 3 fulcrums; enablement, engagement, and knowledge to enhance growth in the Telecom, Fintech, Agritech, Edtech, e-Commerce, Healthtech as well as data centres in reinforcing data sovereignty and other sectors.
Speaking on the opportunities the event will bring in terms of boosting investments into the Nigerian Tech Ecosystem, he noted that “78% of startups are expecting to receive funds from investors as a result of their participation in GITEX.”
