NITDA Opens Investor Window For Nigerian Startups Solving Local Problems

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is opening a new investment window for Nigerian startups developing technology-driven solutions to some of the country’s most pressing business and social challenges.

The agency is inviting investors, venture capital firms and financial institutions to the Digital Nigeria Builders Festival 2026, where emerging businesses will have an opportunity to showcase their solutions directly to potential funders.

NITDA said the festival would focus on startups already responding to identifiable market needs, testing their products and services and developing businesses with potential for scale.

The agency urged investors to look beyond conventional startup pitches and engage directly with the founders to understand the problems their businesses are addressing and the solutions they are developing.

“Don’t just hear the pitch. See the problem. Understand the solution. Meet the builder,” NITDA said.

Applications for the Builders Festival opened on September 26 and will close on October 16, 2026.

The selected startups will showcase their businesses at the Digital Nigeria International Conference and Exhibitions (DNICE) 2026, scheduled for November 10 to 12.

The festival is being organised by NITDA in partnership with Tech Revolution Africa and is expected to provide participating startups with access to investors, venture capital firms and financial institutions.

The initiative comes as Nigeria continues to expand its technology ecosystem, with startups increasingly developing locally focused solutions across different sectors of the economy.

NITDA encouraged investors to use the platform to discover emerging businesses, engage their founders and explore potential investment opportunities.