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 partnership to improve access to private-sector investment, commercial contracts and technology adoption for Nigerian startups and businesses.
The collaboration is designed to bridge the gap between indigenous technology innovators and market opportunities by connecting NITDA-backed startups with corporate investors, venture capital firms and potential buyers across key sectors of the economy.
The partnership was announced in a joint statement signed by Mrs Hadiza Umar, Director of Corporate Communications at NITDA, and Dr Segun H. Olugbile, NACCIMA’s Digital Economy Coordinator and Chairman of its Digital Economy Trade Group.
Under the arrangement, NACCIMA will serve as a private-sector investment pipeline and commercial off-take facilitator for startups, technology ventures and enterprise financing initiatives supported by NITDA.
The initiative will leverage NACCIMA’s network of more than 120 city, state and bilateral chambers, alongside industrial conglomerates, to expand market access for technology businesses and promote the adoption of locally developed digital solutions.
The partnership follows the signing of a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and the alignment of a Joint Technical Working Group (TWG), co-chaired by Dr Aristotle Onumo, Director of NITDA’s Special Duties Directorate, and Dr. Segun H. Olugbile.
As part of the initial implementation plan, the two organisations will focus on three priority initiatives covering startup investment and commercialisation, digital capacity building for small businesses, and digital trust and compliance.
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.
Through the event, NACCIMA will organise business-to-business deal rooms, mobilise corporate investors and venture capital firms, participate in startup evaluation juries, and connect indigenous technology companies with potential commercial buyers in manufacturing, agribusiness, logistics and services.
The second initiative is a national programme aimed at equipping 10,000 micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) with practical artificial intelligence tools, digital skills, financial readiness support and improved market access.
The programme is expected to extend across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, helping businesses strengthen their operations and improve their capacity to compete in an increasingly digital economy.
The third initiative will focus on digital trust and regulatory compliance through a proposed digital trust mark platform for verified businesses.
The platform is intended to promote compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, strengthen cybersecurity readiness and build confidence in digital transactions, particularly along regional trade corridors under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Speaking on the partnership, NITDA Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, said combining government policy leadership with the commercial demand of the organised private sector would create new growth opportunities for Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
“Combining government policy leadership with the active commercial demand of the organised private sector creates an unprecedented growth engine for Nigeria’s digital ecosystem. Through NACCIMA, we are ensuring that indigenous startups and tech innovators do not just build solutions, but gain direct access to corporate buyers, domestic capital, and sustainable commercial contracts,” he said.
NACCIMA National President, Engr. (Dr.) Jani Ibrahim, said the partnership would strengthen technology adoption across traditional industries and create new opportunities for Nigerian innovators.
“This strategic alliance positions Nigerian commerce and industry at the forefront of technology adoption. NACCIMA is committed to serving as the primary off-taker and investor pipeline for NITDA-supported startups. By connecting traditional industries—agriculture, manufacturing, trade, and mining—with innovative digital solutions and 3MTT technical talent, we are driving enterprise productivity and building a resilient, future-ready economy,” he said.
To coordinate implementation, the Joint Technical Working Group has begun work on the enterprise pipeline, business deal-room structures and launch arrangements ahead of the formal unveiling at DNICE 2026 in Abuja.
Businesses, corporate investors, technology vendors and startups interested in participating in the B2B deal rooms or the 10,000-MSME AI Enterprise Accelerator are expected to obtain registration updates through NACCIMA’s Digital Economy Desk and NITDA’s official platforms.
The partnership represents a move to strengthen the commercial links between Nigeria’s technology ecosystem and its productive sectors, with an emphasis on translating digital innovation into investment, business growth and sustainable market opportunities.