News Highlights:
- Nigeria to Host GITEX for the First Time
- GITEX Nigeria to Boost Innovation and Investment
The Federal Government, through the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has partnered with KAOUN International to bring the prestigious Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (GITEX) to Nigeria for the first time, in a bold move to spotlight Nigeria’s fast-growing startup ecosystem and digital economy.
The announcement, made at NITDA’s corporate headquarters in Abuja during the inauguration of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), reflects a national push to attract global tech investors and innovators.
Digital TimesNG reports that the LOC, comprising key players from both public and private sectors, signifies a unified approach to hosting a world-class tech event on Nigerian soil.
Slated for September 1–4, 2025, in Abuja and Lagos, the debut edition of GITEX Nigeria will carry the theme “Forging the Rise of Digital Nigeria,” and is expected to feature over 1,000 startups, 100+ global investors, and attract more than 20,000 participants—solidifying Nigeria’s position as a leading hub for digital innovation in Africa.
GITEX Nigeria which will take place in two major cities—Abuja and Lagos—each delivering a unique focus, is poised to serve as a powerful convergence point for global tech leaders, innovators, investors, startups, and policymakers, creating new opportunities for collaboration, investment, and technological exchange.
In Abuja, the spotlight will be on government leadership and artificial intelligence, with an AI Summit set to bring together government officials and global tech executives to accelerate national initiatives such as digital infrastructure development, AI adoption, and public sector innovation.
In Lagos, the commercial heartbeat of Nigeria, the event will host sessions dedicated to showcasing the country’s thriving tech ecosystem—promoting startups, attracting foreign investment, and highlighting multi-sector innovation as a catalyst for economic diversification.
NITDA’s Director General, Kashifu Inuwa (represented by Director of ITIS, Mr. Olawumi Oladejo), speaking during the inauguration of the Local Organising Committee, expressed appreciation for the collective effort behind bringing GITEX to Nigeria.
He highlighted the transformative potential of the event, noting that hosting a globally renowned tech expo would not only elevate Nigeria’s status on the international stage but also stimulate local enterprise, boost tourism, and foster innovation-driven partnerships.
“We all know the positive impact that hosting this kind of event will bring to the country. It will boost our international standing and scale our local businesses and tourism. This event is part of our way of implementing a major pillar, Forging Strategic Partnerships and Collaborations of the agency’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2024–2027),” he added.
According to the DG, the implementation of the GITEX Nigeria is in line with the 8-point agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR through the implementation of the agency’s SRAP.
Noting that the GITEX model has expanded to North Africa, specifically in Morocco, Inuwa asserted that Nigeria’s hosting of the event will mark its first footprint in West Africa.
While assuring the stakeholders of presidential backing for the initiative, the DG concluded that “if we can successfully host this, it will open the door for Nigeria to lead digital transformation efforts across the region.”
In his presentation on the overview of the GITEX Nigeria preparations, the Director of the Stakeholder Management and Partnerships department, Dr Aristotle Onumo stated that the vision of the event is to elevate 6 local startups to global standards in 3 years.
He added that the event will be anchored on three fulcrums of enablement, engagement, and knowledge, to enhance growth in the Telecom, Fintech, Agritech, Edtech, e-Commerce, Healthtech as well as data centres in reinforcing data sovereignty and other sectors.
Onumo noted that “78% of startups are expecting to receive funds from investors as a result of their participation in GITEX.”
