National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has commenced a national competition to scout Nigeria’s most promising tech startups from the South East geopolitical zone.
The participants, drawn from the five South East states of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo, participated in the GITEX Nigeria 2025 Regional Roadshow, which was held in Enugu yesterday.
The roadshow is a precursor to the GITEX Nigeria 2025 Startup Festival, which will be held in Abuja from September 1 to 4, 2025.
Delivering his address at the event on Tuesday, the state commissioner for innovation, science, and technology, Dr Lawrence Ezeh, commended NITDA for the initiative to discover the country’s most promising technology startups and described it as a strategic intervention.
“This is an opportunity brought to our doorstep for our youths to take advantage of and be part of national and global competitiveness. This whole show is a strategic intervention spotlighting young founders, amplifying untapped potential and creating a pipeline of talent that will shape the future of our national digital economy,” the commissioner said.
Ezeh urged the participating startups to see the event as more than just a competition and to be bold, clear, and authentic.
“It is your moment to shine before the national ecosystem leaders, investors and policymakers. It is your invitation to step forward and become part of the GITEX Nigeria 2025 story and potentially, the GITEX global in Dubai”.
Also speaking, the head of the NITDA South East office, Dr Nkem Momah, said the goal of the roadshow was to identify and empower bold local innovators whose solutions have the potential to shape Nigeria’s digital economy.
He listed the sectors of interest for the current edition of the roadshow, which will include HealthTech, AgriTech, FinTech, Artificial Intelligence, EdTech, ClimateTech, and CreativeTech.
Momah stressed that the initiative targeted entrepreneurs who were developing technology that addresses real problems and could be expanded to reach broader markets.
He disclosed that startups emerging from the zonal pitch would be sponsored to exhibit at the GITEX Nigeria 2025 Startup Festival in Abuja.
“They will also have the opportunity to pitch their ideas before a panel of top ecosystem stakeholders, including tech investors, industry experts, government officials, and the media.
He said that in addition to gaining national visibility, selected startups will be prepared to showcase at GITEX Global in Dubai, one of the world’s most influential technology trade shows.
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