The Niger Information Technology and Digital Economy Agency (NSITDEA) on Wednesday in Minna signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Wecrin Inc./Africa Talent Collective (ATC) to establish a pathway for digital professionals to access global jobs.

The partnership with the Japanese firm is expected to boost the proposed Niger State Digital Talent Bridge.

It is a talent pipeline designed to identify, assess and connect qualified technology professionals with potential international employers.

The Director-General of NSITDEA, Suleiman Isah, said the partnership is a step by the state government to connect its growing pool of technology professionals with employment opportunities in international markets.

He stated, “This creates a three-part opportunity: connect Niger State talent to global jobs, expose the state to international technology companies, and bring new knowledge into the public sector.”

He said the partnership would also give the agency the opportunity to better understand the skills international employers require, which would help in shaping its future training programmes based on actual labour-market demand.

“One of the expected outcomes with long-term and valuable opportunities is strengthening engagement between Niger and Japanese technology companies in the area of deep technology, innovation and knowledge exchange and others.

“Niger does not simply want to export technology talent; it also wants to use international relationships to attract companies, investment, technical expertise and partnerships back into the state,” he said.

Mr Isah further said the partnership was expected to create pathways for remote work, internships and direct employment with international companies, especially in software, cloud computing, artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.

He noted that women under the TechSis programme of the agency were also expected to benefit directly from the partnership through links to global job opportunities, thereby giving the programme a stronger economic dimension.

The DG NSITDEA said the partnership would broaden the use of technology in public administration in the state.

“If the partnership works as intended, the agency could gradually build a recognised pool of professionals who have been assessed and can be recommended to international employers,” he said.

He added that based on the agreement, Wecrin Inc./ATC would provide the international connection, as it operates within the recruitment and global talent ecosystem and possesses experience working across African markets.

He said the initiative was designed to provide access to employers, credible assessment and a trusted recruitment pipeline that was hitherto missing.

He stated that the initiative also demonstrated the effort of his leadership to continuously position digital technology as an economic development tool through skills development, employment, entrepreneurship, investment and international partnerships.

“The initiative marks a shift from simply training young people in digital skills to creating direct pathways to employment, income generation and professional development,” he added. 

(NAN)