The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), in partnership with Tech Revolution Africa, has launched an initiative targeting ₦3 billion in investments and pilot contracts for Nigerian technology startups through the Digital Nigeria International Conference and Exhibition (DNICE) 2026.

The initiative, known as the Digital Nigeria Builders Festival, is designed to connect indigenous technology companies with government agencies, financial institutions, corporate organisations and investors seeking solutions to operational and business challenges.

Announced as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s digital economy, the programme aims to bridge the gap between local technology innovators and organisations that can deploy, purchase or invest in their products.

NITDA Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, said the initiative would help connect Nigerian startups with markets and commercial opportunities rather than limiting innovation support to competitions, exhibitions and funding announcements.

He explained that the ₦3 billion target represents a pipeline of potential investments and commercial opportunities, not a guaranteed grant or fund that will automatically be distributed among participating startups.

The programme is targeting Nigerian-registered startups with existing technology products that can address identified institutional challenges.

According to the organisers, eligible businesses must have reached at least the minimum viable product (MVP) stage and demonstrate some evidence of market activity.

Applicants are expected to have at least one live user, an active pilot project or a paying customer.

Startups still at the idea stage, without an existing product, are not the primary targets of the initiative.

Selection will be based on three major considerations: market traction, team resilience and product maturity.

This means businesses with functioning products and the capacity to deploy their solutions are more likely to benefit than entrepreneurs seeking funding to develop an idea from scratch.

The Builders Festival is expected to provide opportunities for startups working across several sectors of Nigeria’s economy.

These include financial technology, covering digital payments, financial inclusion, SME financing and cross-border transactions; agricultural technology, focusing on digital farming solutions, agricultural supply chains and market access; and health technology, including patient identification, healthcare records and vaccine supply-chain management.

Government technology is another area of interest, particularly digital identity, civil registration, population data management and public service delivery. Startups working in artificial intelligence, data analysis, automated processes, logistics, cargo monitoring and telecommunications are also expected to find opportunities through the initiative.

The programme’s institutional challenge-matching model is intended to ensure that startups are introduced to organisations with existing needs that their products can address.

Rather than simply asking entrepreneurs to pitch business ideas, the organisers will match selected companies with relevant institutional challenges and potential customers.

The programme is structured around a screening and matchmaking process that will culminate in a dedicated Startup Deal Room.

Pre-qualified startups will be introduced to investors, government institutions, financial organisations and corporate buyers.

The Deal Room will provide an opportunity for participating businesses to negotiate potential investments, pilot projects, procurement arrangements, memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and commercial partnerships.

The investment pipeline is expected to draw from different funding sources, including venture capital, angel investment, institutional investment and government innovation support.

Investors will also be able to identify opportunities based on their preferred sectors and investment stages, including pre-seed, seed, Series A, Series B and growth financing.

However, participation in the programme does not guarantee that a startup will receive funding or secure a contract. Any investment or commercial agreement will depend on negotiations, due diligence and the terms agreed by the parties involved.

Beyond investment, the initiative is expected to support job creation, business expansion and the retention of technology talent within Nigeria.

By helping local startups secure institutional customers and commercial contracts, the programme could provide businesses with the revenue and market access needed to expand their operations.

Such expansion could create employment opportunities for software developers, engineers, data analysts, cybersecurity specialists, product managers, digital marketers and other technology professionals.

It could also encourage greater adoption of locally developed technologies by government agencies and private-sector organisations, reducing dependence on imported solutions in some areas.

However, the organisers have not announced a specific number of jobs expected to be created through the ₦3 billion initiative. Its employment impact will largely depend on the number of startups that secure investment, win contracts and successfully scale their operations.

The Builders Festival formed part of the 2026 Digital Nigeria International Conference and Exhibition, which took place from November 10 to 12 at the BAT International Conference Centre in Abuja.

The conference brought together government officials, technology entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers and other stakeholders to discuss Nigeria’s digital transformation and opportunities for economic growth.

The initiative reflects NITDA’s broader strategy of connecting local innovation with investment, institutional demand and commercial markets.

For Nigerian startups with established products, the programme presents an opportunity to move beyond developing technology to securing customers, attracting investors and building sustainable businesses.

The extent to which the ₦3 billion target translates into actual investments, contracts and employment opportunities will ultimately depend on the agreements secured and the successful implementation of the projects emerging from the initiative