NITDA, NACCIMA Partner to Connect Nigerian Startups with Investors and Buyers

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 aimed at connecting Nigerian technology startups with investors, corporate buyers and new business opportunities.

The collaboration is designed to bridge the gap between technology innovation and commercial demand by helping local startups secure funding, attract customers and convert their solutions into sustainable businesses.

Under the agreement, NACCIMA will serve as a private-sector investment pipeline and commercial off-taker facilitator for startups and technology ventures supported by NITDA. The association will leverage its network of more than 120 city, state and bilateral chambers of commerce, alongside major industrial businesses, to facilitate investment and commercial partnerships.

NITDA Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, said the partnership would help indigenous technology innovators gain access to corporate buyers, domestic capital and sustainable commercial contracts.

The two organisations formalised the collaboration through a memorandum of understanding and established a joint technical working group to coordinate implementation.

Digital Nigeria Conference to Facilitate Business Deals

One of the partnership’s immediate priorities is the Digital Nigeria International Conference and Exhibition (DNICE) 2026, scheduled to hold in Abuja from November 10 to 12.

NACCIMA will lead private-sector participation by organising business-to-business (B2B) deal rooms, mobilising corporate investors and venture capital firms, and participating in startup evaluation panels.

The initiative will also connect Nigerian technology startups with potential corporate customers across manufacturing, agribusiness, logistics and services.

Through these engagements, startups will have opportunities to showcase their products, attract investment and establish commercial relationships with businesses seeking digital solutions.

The partnership is expected to create a more direct link between locally developed technologies and the needs of established companies, helping innovators move beyond product development towards market adoption and revenue generation.

10,000 MSMEs to Benefit from AI Programme

Another major component of the agreement is a nationwide programme targeting 10,000 micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The initiative will provide participating businesses with practical artificial intelligence (AI) tools, digital skills, financial-readiness support and pathways to market access.

The programme is intended to help small businesses improve productivity, strengthen their digital capabilities and become more competitive in an increasingly technology-driven economy.

It could also create new commercial opportunities for Nigerian technology companies that provide AI solutions, business software and digital services to enterprises.

By expanding technology adoption among MSMEs, the partners aim to strengthen the connection between Nigeria’s growing technology ecosystem and traditional sectors of the economy.

Digital Trust Platform to Support Business Verification

NITDA and NACCIMA also plan to introduce a digital trust mark platform to verify businesses and promote compliance with data protection and cybersecurity requirements.

The platform is expected to support compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 while encouraging businesses to strengthen their cybersecurity readiness.

Improved verification and data protection practices could help build confidence among businesses engaging in digital transactions, particularly those seeking partnerships beyond Nigeria’s domestic market.

The initiative is also expected to support businesses operating along regional trade corridors, including those participating in trade opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

NACCIMA Targets Stronger Technology Adoption Across Industries

NACCIMA National President, Jani Ibrahim, said the partnership would help position Nigerian commerce and industry to benefit more fully from technological innovation.

He explained that connecting traditional industries such as agriculture, manufacturing, trade and mining with digital solutions and technical talent would support enterprise productivity and economic resilience.

The collaboration will also draw on technical talent associated with the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme to strengthen the relationship between digital skills development and industry demand.

For startups, access to established businesses could provide opportunities to test solutions, secure paying customers and expand their operations. For traditional enterprises, the partnership could improve access to technologies that streamline processes and support business growth.

Implementation and Market Access Remain Key Priorities

The joint technical working group is finalising the enterprise pipeline, deal-room arrangements and other implementation details ahead of the formal unveiling at DNICE 2026.

Startups, technology vendors, corporate investors and other interested businesses have been advised to monitor the official NITDA portals and the NACCIMA Digital Economy Desk for registration updates relating to the B2B deal rooms and the 10,000-MSME AI programme.

The success of the initiative will depend on its ability to translate networking opportunities into actual investments, signed commercial contracts and sustained technology adoption.

Outlook

The NITDA–NACCIMA partnership represents an effort to address two major challenges facing Nigerian startups: access to capital and access to customers.

By linking local technology companies with investors and established businesses, the initiative could create new opportunities for innovation, enterprise growth and employment.

Its long-term impact, however, will depend on effective implementation, the level of private-sector participation and the extent to which participating startups secure tangible commercial outcomes.