The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) have called for increased investment in local digital innovations to accelerate Nigeria’s economic growth.

They made the call at the 2026 Digital Nigeria International Conference and Exhibition (DNICE), organised by NITDA in Abuja, on Tuesday, with the theme ‘Driving Nigeria’s Digital Future: Secure, Intelligent and Inclusive Systems’.

NITDA’s director-general, Kashifu Inuwa, said the agency was targeting N3 billion in pipeline investments through its Builders Festival initiative. He said the initiative was designed to connect Nigerian startups with real operational challenges identified by government institutions, corporations and financial organisations.

According to him, more than 100 verified challenges across sectors, including healthcare, education, agriculture, logistics, digital identity and artificial intelligence, have been matched with pre-qualified Nigerian startups offering ready-to-deploy solutions.

“Our target is to unlock a pipeline investment of N3 billion, and I believe it is possible,” he said.

Mr Inuwa said the conference was structured around four pillars: the Builders Festival, policy and strategic discussions, practical masterclasses and the Nigeria Digital Honours Award.

The NITDA chief noted that the event was designed to translate discussions into practical outcomes, including contracts, jobs, revenue and improved public services. He urged government institutions to become the first customers of Nigerian innovations, while encouraging investors to support local technology entrepreneurs.

Also speaking, the national president of NACCIMA, Jani Ibrahim, said Nigeria’s ambition to build a one-trillion-dollar economy by 2030 required deliberate integration of technology, enterprise and investment.

Mr Ibrahim said Nigeria had nearly 40 million micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), accounting for about 46 per cent of gross domestic product and nearly 88 per cent of employment.