Expanding horizons: Amplifying Nigerian technology and picking up insights from worldwide strategies
In the dynamic world of technology, Nigeria is making significant strides towards establishing itself as a leading ICT hub in Africa. Despite some lingering misconceptions, Nigerian tech talent has already proven itself on a global scale, with many working at top companies like Meta, Amazon, Google, and top consultancies.
Ayomide Ogunbayo, a UK-based UX Designer with experience in designing user-centered digital products across various industries, recently shared insights about the Nigerian tech scene. Ogunbayo emphasized that Nigerian tech was built to adapt and is capable of achieving more.
One of the key strategies for building a global tech hub in Nigeria involves robust government initiatives. The National ICT Policy, National Broadband Plan, and Cybersecurity Initiatives are some examples of government efforts to provide a framework for ICT development, enhance connectivity, and protect digital infrastructure.
Digital infrastructure development is another crucial aspect. ICT Infrastructure Development and the expansion of tech hubs, even in rural areas, aim to foster innovation and entrepreneurship.
Innovation and skills development are also integral parts of the strategy. Digital Skills Training equips the workforce with necessary tech skills, while AI and AI-driven initiatives like the Nigerian AI Scaling Hub focus on using AI to solve real-world challenges and drive economic growth.
Collaboration and partnerships are essential for success. Strategic partnerships between government agencies, private sector, NGOs, and international organizations support innovation hubs and AI initiatives. Inclusive policy frameworks encourage investment and innovation by integrating local content development and cybersecurity measures.
Rural inclusion and digital access are also priorities. The expansion of rural tech infrastructure and dedicated budgets and incentives for tech investments in rural areas ensure equitable digital access.
These strategies are already bearing fruit. Solutions developed by Nigerian tech professionals are going global, entering foreign markets, powering startups overseas, and building products used across continents, leading to increased recognition.
However, momentum must not be lost. The gap in recognition, access, and opportunity for Nigerian tech professionals is not in ability but in building an ecosystem that gives more people the chance to show it.
On October 15-16, Lagos will host the Moonshot event, featuring top founders, creatives, and tech leaders. Early bird tickets are currently 20% off. A mentorship programme connected a designer in Nigeria with an early-career UX designer in the UK, resulting in the latter landing an entry-level role at BBC UK.
India spent decades building its reputation as a global IT hub through government support, investment in technical education, outsourcing models, and a strong national identity. Eastern European countries like Ukraine and Poland positioned themselves globally through deliberate global partnerships and visibility.
The speaker suggests adopting strategies that have worked elsewhere to build a tech ecosystem in Nigeria that can lead, not just survive. The solutions developed by Nigerian tech professionals are not about catching up but rather seeking scale and systems that can multiply success stories.
[1] National Broadband Plan (NBP) 2020-2025. (2020). Retrieved from https://www.ncc.gov.ng/uploads/docs/National-Broadband-Plan-2020-2025.pdf [2] Nigeria Digital Economy Strategy for a Digital Nigeria (NDES). (2020). Retrieved from https://www.digitalnigeria.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/NDES_Final_Web_Version.pdf [3] Nigerian AI Scaling Hub. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.nigerianaiscalinghub.org/ [4] TechCabal. (2021). Retrieved from https://techcabal.com/
- The Nigerian tech scene, as emphasized by Ayomide Ogunbayo, is adaptable and poised for further growth, with potential to lead in the global fintech industry, given the right investment and innovation in areas like education-and-self-development, business, technology, and finance.
- To establish itself as a global tech hub, Nigeria is implementing robust government initiatives such as the National ICT Policy, the National Broadband Plan, and Cybersecurity Initiatives, aimed at providing a framework for ICT development, enhancing connectivity, and protecting digital infrastructure.
- In addition to infrastructure development, the government is investing in digital skills training to equip the workforce and foster innovation and entrepreneurship, while AI initiatives like the Nigerian AI Scaling Hub focus on using AI to solve real-world challenges and drive economic growth.
- Collaboration between government agencies, private sector, NGOs, and international organizations is crucial for success, as strategic partnerships support innovation hubs and AI initiatives, and inclusive policy frameworks encourage investment and innovation by integrating local content development and cybersecurity measures.
