Adebayo Adaralegbe esq
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) have formally announced a strategic public-private partnership aimed at accelerating Nigeria’s digital economy growth.
Under this historic partnership, NACCIMA serves as an Official Private-Sector Investor Pipeline and Commercial Off-Taker Facilitator for NITDA-backed startups, technology ventures, and enterprise financing initiatives. The collaboration directly bridges the gap between government technology supply—innovators, talent, and regulatory frameworks—and real-sector demand across NACCIMA’s nationwide network of over 120 city, state, and bilateral chambers, as well as major industrial conglomerates.
Following the execution of the bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), daily operational execution is being directed by the newly aligned NITDA–NACCIMA Joint Technical Working Group (TWG). Co-chaired by Dr. Aristotle Onumo, Director of Special Duties at NITDA, and Dr. Segun H. Olugbile, National Digital Economy Coordinator at NACCIMA, the joint working group is currently deploying three immediate priority initiatives across the country.
First, NACCIMA will lead private-sector mobilisation for the Digital Nigeria International Conference & Exhibition (DNICE 2026), scheduled to take place in Abuja from November 10–12, 2026. Through this platform, NACCIMA will curate B2B Deal Rooms, mobilize corporate investors and venture capital firms, participate in startup evaluation juries, and connect indigenous tech startups directly with corporate off-takers across manufacturing, agribusiness, logistics, and services.
Second, the partnership is rolling out a national programme designed to equip 10,000 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) with practical AI tools, digital skills, financial readiness structures, and market access pathways across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. Concurrently, a joint compliance initiative will launch a digital trust mark platform to onboard verified businesses, ensuring strict adherence to data protection standards under the NDPA 2023, enhancing cybersecurity readiness, and facilitating trusted regional trade across AfCFTA corridors.
Highlighting the alliance’s significance, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Director-General/CEO of NITDA, stated that combining government policy leadership with the active commercial demand of the organised private sector creates an unprecedented growth engine for Nigeria’s digital ecosystem. He emphasized that through NACCIMA, indigenous startups and tech innovators will gain direct, sustainable access to corporate buyers, domestic capital, and commercial contracts.
Echoing this vision, Engr. (Dr.) Jani Ibrahim, National President of NACCIMA, affirmed that the strategic alliance positions Nigerian commerce and industry at the forefront of technology adoption. By connecting traditional sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, trade, and mining with digital solutions and 3MTT technical talent, the initiative aims to drive enterprise productivity and build a resilient, future-ready national economy ahead of its formal unveiling at DNICE 2026.
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