The Federal Government has established the Technology Export and Digital Trade Desk to accelerate investment in Nigeria’s technology sector, with the goal of raising startup funding to $5 billion per year.
The Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, unveiled the project on Monday, emphasising its partnership with the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment.
Tijani described the launch as a key milestone in the Ministry’s efforts to enhance the role of ICT in Nigeria’s economy.
He emphasized that trade, a central component of the Ministry’s strategic blueprint, provides a platform to promote Nigerian technology exports.
The Trade Desk, he noted, would offer tailored support to local tech companies, helping them access and compete in both African and global markets.
“With a bold vision, the initiative seeks to increase the technology sector’s contribution to Nigeria’s GDP from the current 14–18% to 21% within the next three years,” Tijani explained.
“Additionally, the Desk aims to amplify annual funding for Nigerian startups, scaling up from $1bn to $5bn over the same period, thereby fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and global competitiveness,” he added.
The Minister further stated that the Trade Desk would provide a comprehensive suite of programs, partnerships, and policy-driven interventions.
This initiative is also aligned with Nigeria’s ambition to improve its standing in the Economic Complexity Index (ECI), reflecting the country’s dedication to diversifying its trade and enhancing its position in the global digital economy.
The ECI is a ranking system that assesses a country’s productive knowledge and the diversity of its exports. Nations with a high ECI typically have specialized capabilities and produce a wide range of complex products.
Nigeria’s ECI in 2022 stood at -1.67, ranking 127th out of 133 countries.
Tijani added that the Digital Trade Desk is a vital part of President Bola Tinubu’s broader goal of growing Nigeria’s economy to $1tn through innovation, investment, and international trade.
