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By Nwakaego Alajemba
Nigeria is fostering its participation at GITEX 2020 on promoting youth-led enterprises to showcase innovations coming from its tech startups community, and the strong policy-thrust on digital economy as the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) inaugurates the Local Organising Committee (LOC).
Some GITEX 2020 LOC members Dr Yelwa representing the FG, NITDA, Mallam Abdullahi
GITEX holds in Dubai December 6-10 and Nigeria has grown to become one of the strategic partners in advancing its economy as the strongest in Africa. The committee comprises of representatives from relevant ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), including the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and NIGCOMSAT as well as the private sector.
Startups pitching for funds
Nigerian startups will be exploring networking opportunities with more than 400 investors and pitching their ideas across a bunch of
exciting competitions including the primal Innovation Cups with investment inflow in excess of USD150, 000.
The start-ups are expected to come up with innovations in areas of 5G, Artificial Intelligence, Transportation, Digital Economy, Cybersecurity, and Block-Chain Technology.
The 40th edition of GITEX 2020 holds out as the only live event in 2020 following the COVID-19 pandemic that has erased major international meets, and impacted negatively on economies. GITEX 2020 celebrates 40 years with the theme: Inspiring The Next Decade of Breakthroughs.
GITEX 2020 is holding within the framework of the new normal guided by strict COVID-19 protocols for over 100, 000 exhibitors and delegates from more than 140 countries expected at the five-day event.
GITEX 2020 reinforces post pandemic recovery
This edition is expected to reinforce post pandemic recovery, explore opportunities and challenges beyond COVID-19. As the only viable physical global event of 2020 connecting governments, businesses and new innovations, GITEX, organised by the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), is already billed to live up to its tradition to reignite the vital connections and bring influential players in tech and business together to shape growth strategies for the new realities and the next decade.
Director General of NITDA, Mr Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, said Nigeria’s participation is anchored on promoting the energetic entrepreneurship of its young people and the strong push for digital economy.
According to him, Nigeria targets early recovery from the pandemic, sees strong economic rebound through the tech innovations of its youths even as it explores the digital economy space to seek for global collaboration so as to re-energise and re-engineer its economy.
Nations are increasingly navigating the pandemic to keep their economy growing, and avoid complete stagnation, the NITDA’s boss enthused.
Leveraging new opportunities and partnerships
He stated that the Africa Investment Forum (AIF), being put together by Nigeria, is designed to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and expose Nigerian start-ups to the global market. AIF is one of the dozens of simultaneous conferences totaling over 290 power-packed hours across five days, exploring technologies and evolving markets, fostering networks and new deals. Over 460 speakers will be sharing insights into new vista of businesses and technologies.
We hope to leverage new opportunities and partnerships, said Abdullahi. He was represented by Director, Human Resources and Administrations, Dr Idris Yelwa. Nigeria will leave its mark at GITEX 2020 with its start-ups, he assured.
According to the DWTC, “this year features 26 exhibition sectors and an opportunity to discover the unseen future. The 40th Anniversary of GITEX offers a see-through on what’s coming next in the world of technology and business, as top technology enterprises, startups and think-tanks from around the world reveal their eureka moments and life-changing innovations.”
According to the Director Corporate Planning and Strategy, Dr Agu Collins Agu, the essence of constituting the committee is to deliberate on what Nigeria’s participation will bring back to the country in terms of revamping the economy.
Agu who was represented by Dr Mohammed Agbali. added that as a country, it is important for Nigeria to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the exhibition.
During the inauguration, NITDA revealed that its portal for submission of application by start-ups was set to open, as it encourages the participation of Nigerian youths with innovative ideas.
“GITEX 2020 will serve as the common collaborative arena for businesses and governments in keeping to its reputation as the world’s most important technology sourcing, networking platform,” said Olusegun Oruame, director at Pinnacle Consulting, the sole representative for GITEX in Niegria and rest of West Africa.
Speaking on behalf of President/CEO of Pinnacle, Akande Ojo, he said “the increasing contribution of the ICT sector to Nigeria’s GDP makes GITEX 2020 a robust platform to anchor fresh conversations on Nigeria around its ICT sector and its push for the digital economy.
“This year features 26 exhibition sectors and an opportunity to discover the unseen future. The 40th anniversary of GITEX offers a see-through on what’s coming next in the world of technology and business, as top technology enterprises, startups and think-tanks from around the world reveal their eureka moments and life-changing innovations.”
