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The British Government has disclosed its commitment to stimulate local digital economy in Nigeria. Through its UK-Nigeria Tech Hub, launched in 2019, which is part of the International Tech Hub Network, the country said it wss working to develop digital economy in the Nigeria using all available resources.
The UK-Nigeria Tech Hub is delivered by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office under the UK Government’s Digital Access Programme (DAP).
Speaking during a workshop with tech journalists in Lagos yesterday, the UK-Nigeria Tech Hub Director, Oyinkan Akinola-Bello said: “The UK-Nigeria Tech Hub works to stimulate local digital economies, support inclusive and sustainable economic growth and jobs, build high-end digital skills, and forge innovation partnerships between Nigerian tech sectors and international businesses which will inadvertently lead to an increase in trade and investment in the longer term, thereby driving increased productivity and growth.
“The Hub work with players in the science, technology, and innovation ecosystem to find innovative solutions to local development challenges, thereby driving sustainable economic growth with a focus on including women, marginalised youth and people with disabilities.”
She said the key projects of the programme included Social Innovation Driven Entrepreneurship, a hybrid accelerator program targeted at supporting the scaling up of innovative solutions to local challenges based on identified market & sector gaps affecting underserved populations in Nigeria; DevCareer Tech Programme, aimed at empowering aspiring technical talents in Nigeria to excel in the technology sector, particularly for those facing financing constraints to learning and women.
“The programme provides comprehensive training across 3 tracks -software development, product management and product design including soft skills training. “Venture Link: This project showcases the local technology ecosystem as investment ready and provides investor education and deal flows to UK investors, Innovation Managers etc interested in investing in the Nigerian market.
“Developer Foundry: A oneyear talent development program designed to address the mismatch between Africa’s technology talent skills and skills required by employers in the technology ecosystem. The project will upskill and refine mid-level talent and support policy engagement to further strengthen the relationship between ecosystem regulators and key stakeholders and support the development of a policy framework for emerging technology.
“Startup and Talent Enhancement Programme: Supports the scaling up of and growth of innovative startups by providing access to talent/mentors to help the businesses solve problems that pose barriers to their growth e.g., technical debt, marketing, fundraising. “Regulatory and Compliance School: Equips technology startups with the expertise required to navigate legal, regulatory and compliance landscape in Nigeria.”
She noted that the Tech Hub had supported 168 tech-enabled SMEs, early-stage startups, and engaged with 55 investors. “The Nigeria Tech Hub collaborated with Google for Startups to award $3 million in cloud credit infrastructure to female technology founders in Nigeria.
“Building upon the successful pilot, the DevCareer Tech Programme will equip 1,700 individuals, including 680 women, across Nigeria’s 6 geopolitical zones with technical skills in software development, product design, and product management.
The Social Innovation Driven Entrepreneurship’ project in collaboration with the Network of Innovators and Incubators in Nigeria (NINe), Kaduna Business School is a hybrid accelerator program which has supported 12 Social Impact driven businesses to build innovative digital solutions to problems affecting the middle to lower economic classes in Nigeria.
