By Nkechi Eze
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) have entered into a strategic public-private partnership to accelerate Nigeria’s digital economy, attract private-sector investment and expand technology adoption among businesses.
The partnership positions NACCIMA as a private-sector investor pipeline and commercial off-taker facilitator for NITDA-backed startups, technology ventures and enterprise financing initiatives, connecting indigenous technology innovators with corporate buyers, investors and industries across the country.
The collaboration follows the signing of a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and the alignment of a Joint Technical Working Group co-chaired by Dr Aristotle Onumo, Director of Special Duties at NITDA, and Dr Segun H. Olugbile, National Digital Economy Coordinator at NACCIMA.
Under the arrangement, the two organisations are pursuing three priority initiatives focused on startup commercialisation, artificial intelligence adoption among small businesses and digital trust.
The first initiative will see NACCIMA lead private-sector mobilisation for the Digital Nigeria International Conference and Exhibition (DNICE) 2026, scheduled to hold in Abuja from November 10 to 12.
As part of the initiative, NACCIMA will organise business-to-business deal rooms, mobilise corporate investors and venture capital firms, participate in startup evaluation juries and connect indigenous technology startups with corporate off-takers in manufacturing, agribusiness, logistics and services.
The second initiative is a national programme designed to equip 10,000 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory with practical artificial intelligence tools, digital skills, financial readiness structures and market access opportunities.
The third initiative involves the proposed launch of a digital trust mark platform to onboard verified businesses and promote compliance with data protection standards under the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, cybersecurity readiness and digital trust across regional trade corridors, including the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, said the partnership would strengthen the connection between government-backed technology development and the commercial needs of the private sector.
“Combining government policy leadership with the active commercial demand of the organised private sector creates an unprecedented growth engine for Nigeria’s digital ecosystem,” Abdullahi said.
He explained that the collaboration would help indigenous startups and technology innovators gain direct access to corporate buyers, domestic capital and sustainable commercial contracts.
The National President of NACCIMA, Engr. Dr Jani Ibrahim, said the partnership would place Nigerian commerce and industry at the forefront of technology adoption.
Ibrahim said NACCIMA was committed to serving as a primary commercial off-taker and investor pipeline for NITDA-supported startups, while connecting traditional industries, including agriculture, manufacturing, trade and mining, with innovative digital solutions and technical talent from the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme.
According to him, the initiative would improve enterprise productivity and contribute to building a resilient economy capable of responding to emerging technological and commercial demands.
To ensure implementation, both organisations have deployed a Joint Technical Working Group comprising senior officials from NITDA and NACCIMA.
The team is currently finalising the enterprise pipeline, deal-room structures and launch arrangements ahead of the formal unveiling of the partnership at DNICE 2026 in Abuja.
Enterprises, corporate investors, technology vendors and startups interested in participating in the business-to-business deal rooms or the 10,000 MSME AI Enterprise Accelerator are expected to obtain registration updates through the official NACCIMA Digital Economy Desk and NITDA portals.
