*The National Information Technology Development Agency announces a strategic partnership with KAOUN International to host the forthcoming world-renowned Gulf Information Technology Exhibition September 1-4, 2025, describing the development as ‘a major stride towards positioning Nigeria as a global technology hub’
Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect
The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has announced a strategic partnership with KAOUN International to host the world-renowned Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (GITEX) for 2025, in Nigeria.
ConsumerConnect reports NITDA made the announcement during the recent inauguration of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), at the agency’s corporate headquarters, in Abuja, FCT.
The agency noted that the LOC comprises representatives from key public and private sector stakeholders of the economy.
This maiden edition of the event with the theme, “Forging the Rise of Digital Nigeria”, is expected to attract about 1,000 startups, over 100 investors, and over 20,000 participants, is scheduled to hold September 1-4, 2025, in Abuja and Lagos respectively.
The Information Technology (IT) sector regulatory agency also described the development as “a major stride towards positioning Nigeria as a global technology hub”, where digital technology is leveraged to uplift the West African country.
NITDA averred the announcement of its partnership with KAOUN International to host the forthcoming GITEX Nigeria underscored a unified national effort at delivering a world-class tech conference right in the country.
GITEX Nigeria is set to bring together global tech leaders, innovators, investors, startups, and policy makers, opening up new avenues for collaboration, investment, and technological exchange, the agency said.
Highlights of 2025 GITEX Nigeria, by NITDA
Reeling off the major activities at the imminent exhibition, NITDA said the event, in Abuja, would witness government leadership and Artificial Intelligence (AI) summit to unite government leaders and global technology executives.
The agency also averred the event would be an avenue to drive national projects, including digital infrastructure expansion, AI adoption and public sector innovation.
In Lagos, which is the commercial hub of the country, the agency stated this year’s GITEX aims to spotlight Nigeria’s tech ecosystem, promote startups, attract investments, growth driving multi-sector economic diversification to a global audience.
Inuwa benefits of Nigeria’s hosting GITEX event
Speaking at the LOC inauguration forum, in Abuja, Malam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, Director-General of NITDA, represented by Mr. Olawumi Oladejo, Director of ITIS Department, expressed his gratitude and enthusiasm for the milestone achievement.
Inuwa thanked everyone for all the effort they have been making towards the actualisation of the great event in Nigeria.
The Director-General of NITDA also emphasised the potential impact of hosting such a prestigious event.
According to him, the forthcoming event would not only elevate Nigeria’s international profile but also boost local businesses, drive tourism, and provide a platform for innovation and partnerships.
Inuwa asserted: “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).”
The NITDA Chief Executive further noted the implementation of the GITEX Nigeria is in line with the 8-point agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, through the activation of the agency’s SRAP.
Relating that the GITEX model has expanded to North Africa, specifically in Morocco, the Director-General affirmed that Nigeria’s hosting of the event would mark its first footprint in the West African subregion.
He equally assured the stakeholders of presidential backing for the initiative to host a successful event.
“If we can successfully host this, it will open the door for Nigeria to lead digital transformation efforts across the region,” Inuwa stated.
In his presentation on the overview of the GITEX Nigeria preparations, NITDA said Dr. Aristotle Onumo, Director of the Stakeholder Management and Partnerships Department, stated that the vision of the event is to elevate six local startups to global standards in three years.
Dr. Onumo noted the event which would be anchored on three fulcrums: enablement, engagement, and knowledge to enhance growth in the Telecoms, FinTech, Agritech, Edtech, e-Commerce, Healthtech as well as data centres in reinforcing data sovereignty and other sectors.
In regard to numerous opportunities the event would bring in terms of boosting investments into the Nigerian Tech Ecosystem, the Director averred that “78% of startups are expecting to receive funds from investors as a result of their participation in GITEX.”
