The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has inaugurated the Startup Consultative Forum (SCF), a strategic initiative to accelerate Nigeria’s digital transformation under the Nigerian Startup Act (NSA) of 2022. The forum brings together startups, investors, and innovation hubs to shape policies and drive economic growth through technology.
NITDA Director-General Kashifu Inuwa described the NSA as “a social compact where startups help architect Nigeria’s economic future.” The SCF will serve as a policy dialogue platform, addressing critical areas like:
- Funding access for early-stage tech ventures
- Regulatory harmonization to ease business operations
- Global competitiveness for Nigerian innovators
The initiative follows 8 months of nationwide NSA awareness campaigns. Victoria Fabunmi of the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation noted the forum will “transform startups into stronger job creators and solution providers.”
Established under Section 12 of the NSA, the SCF will also nominate representatives to the National Startup Council and communicate key incentives to entrepreneurs. The Act provides legal frameworks for startup funding, tax reliefs, and regulatory support.
ADBN TV reports this development positions Nigeria among Africa’s leading startup ecosystems, with over 7,000 tech startups currently operating nationwide.
